Karachi, April 15, 2026: Pakistan batter Sahibzada Farhan has spoken candidly about his domestic T20 performances, selection disappointments, and the criticism he faced over his strike rate, revealing how a shift in mindset and key guidance transformed his approach to modern-day batting.
In a recent interview with a local sports platform, Farhan reflected on his consistent dominance in the National T20 Cup, where he repeatedly topped the run charts but still struggled to secure opportunities at higher levels. Despite his impressive performances, he admitted feeling undervalued.
“I finished as the leading run-scorer across the last four seasons of the National T20 Cup, but I was not considered good enough for high-level T20 cricket,” Farhan said.
The right-handed opener recalled a frank conversation with teammate Iftikhar Ahmed, who questioned his scoring tempo at the top of the order.
“After the first two seasons, Iftikhar Ahmed told me, ‘You cannot be playing with a strike rate of 132 as an opener.’ I did not like him saying that, especially when I was scoring the most runs,” Farhan shared.
He also credited former Pakistan international and coach Abdur Rehman for encouraging him to adapt to the evolving demands of T20 cricket.
“He advised me that scoring at a strike rate beyond 140 would be beneficial. At the time, I believed being the leading run-scorer was enough, but I later realised the importance of increasing my scoring rate,” Farhan explained.
Farhan said he gradually reshaped his batting style by focusing on intent and power-hitting, aiming to push his strike rate closer to 150.
“I began targeting becoming the leading six-hitter in every tournament. I worked extensively on power-hitting and improving my intent,” he said.
The technical adjustments yielded remarkable results. In the 2023 National T20 Cup, he scored 492 runs at a blistering strike rate of 178.90 and smashed 29 sixes in 12 innings. In the 2025 edition, he struck three centuries and hit 40 sixes in just seven innings, finishing as the tournament’s leading six-hitter.
Farhan also claimed improvements at the highest level, attributing his aggressive mindset to success in major tournaments.
“I hit the most sixes for Pakistan in the Asia Cup and the T20 World Cup, and I believe I am the leading six-hitter in the ongoing PSL as well,” he added.
The 30-year-old highlighted the rigorous training behind his transformation, particularly his emphasis on range-hitting and adapting to varying match conditions. Drawing inspiration from Asif Ali, he underscored the importance of relentless practice.
“Asif Ali once said he hits 100 to 120 sixes each day. I also practise in a similar manner, working on range-hitting with the new ball, old ball, and worn-out balls,” Farhan said.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of scoring quickly during the powerplay and maintaining a high strike rate as an opener, noting that his sustained efforts over the past year have significantly elevated his game.
Farhan’s journey underscores the evolving demands of modern T20 cricket, where adaptability, power-hitting, and a high strike rate are essential for success at both domestic and international levels.
