New Delhi: Sharjeel Khan's career has taken a dramatic turn in the last few days.
After becoming the first player in the Pakistan Super League to score a century, he along with pacer Mohammad Shami, were on Monday included in Pakistan's squad for the Asia Cup and ICC World T20 as replacements for the injured Babar Azam and Ruman Raees.
Sharjeel made his ODI debut for Pakistan in December 2013 against Sri Lanka. Despite starting his career off with a solid 63, the left-hander failed to perform in the next 10 matches.
His last ODI appearance for Pakistan was in August 2014 where he was dismissed without scoring.
Sharjeel's T20I career too never really took off. He has played just 3 matches, the last of which was in December 2013. But the first edition of the PSL has put life back into his cricketing career.
Sharjeel has been a key component of the Islamabad United side, which has made it to the final of the tournament. He managed to make a mark in the T20 league with key cameos, a fifty and finally the big ton.
Sharjeel's innings of 117 runs of 62 balls:
UNFORGETTABLE!
Rewind to the best hits from @SharjeelLeo14's 100, the first ever in the #HBLPSL! #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/TTy34iVC4P
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) February 21, 2016
Another big win for @IsbUnited in another big game!! 1 more game to go boys!!! @SharjeelLeo14 wow!!! #excitingtalent#power#psl
— Shane Watson (@ShaneRWatson33) February 21, 2016
This is what a franchise tournament is all about. A youngster performing on the big stage against tough oppo! Sharjeel take a bow!
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) February 21, 2016
Having impressed the likes of Shane Watson and Kevin Pietersen, Sharjeel now has the tough task of making a big impact on cricket's grand stage.