Last year on April 22, a 19-year-old left-handed batsman was given a go in the international arena.
His call to international circuit came after Pakistan put up an abysmal show in the first two matches of a three-match One Day International (ODI) series.
Following a disastrous World Cup show just a few weeks back, Pakistan were on their tour to Bangladesh.
They continued to be thrashed as the batting line-up failed to put up more than 250 runs on placid tracks that saw the hosts put up 329 in the series opener and chase down 251 under 40-overs in the final ODI.
With wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfraz Ahmed managing an average of only 15.5 as an opener, Sami Aslam was handed an opportunity to begin his international career in what was nothing more than a dead-rubber.
Making to the international level at the back of staggering scores at Under-19 level, Aslam impressed with a 50-ball 45 which gave Pakistan a 91-run opening stand, the highest in the series.
It was evident from the first sight of this young boy that he possessed a vast repertoire of strokes.
Once he surpassed 80 deliveries, that was when his strike-rate started to creep up from mid-30s.
He charged down the wicket twice against England’s main off-spinner Moeen Ali to deposit him for a four and a six later in his innings before getting run-out as a result of a poor call by Azhar Ali.
However, his almost six-hour stay on the crease should serve as a manual for Hafeez, Masood and others vying for the opening slot.
Pakistan Cricket Board kept Aslam waiting for a year to leave a mark at the international level despite a promising 45 in his first-ever international game.
It turned him into a 20-year-old from a teenager before he could put up his maiden Test score of 50-plus.
With veterans Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan being asked to prolong their careers in the absence of quality individuals, Aslam’s temperament and skill set give hope and show that the future is not so bleak.
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