Pakistan all-rounder Sahibzada Farhan has spoken candidly about his domestic T20 performance, selection setbacks and the criticism he faced over his strike rate, revealing key conversations and how a shift in mindset has changed his approach to modern-day batting.
In a recent interview with a local sports site, Farhan reflected on continuing to top the run charts in the National T20 Cup but still being overlooked for higher honours.
He said he often felt undervalued despite his strong returns in several seasons.
“I finished as the highest run-scorer in the last four seasons of the National T20 Cup, but I wasn’t considered good enough for top-level T20 cricket,” Farhan said.
He also recalled a candid dressing-room exchange with teammate Iftikhar Ahmed, who questioned his scoring rate at the top of the order.
“After the first two seasons, Iftikhar Ahmed had a conversation with me and said, ‘You can’t play with a strike rate of 132 as an opener’. I didn’t like him saying that and it was strange that he criticized my low strike rate even though I scored more runs in two editions,” he added.
The right-handed batsman further highlighted the guidance of his coach Abdur Rahman, who emphasized the importance of increasing the scoring tempo and adapting to the demands of modern T20.
“Abdur Rehman, our coach from Peshawar, told me that batting at a strike rate of 140 would benefit me. I didn’t really understand the logic behind it and thought to be the leading run-scorer,” he said.
As the right-handed opener worked extensively on power-hitting and aim, his vision gradually changed, eventually altering his batting style.
“But I (slowly) realized that I needed to improve my strike rate and push it closer to 150. Since then I started aiming to be the leading six-striker in every match. I started practicing power-hitting,” he said.
Farhan said technical changes yielded significant results in subsequent seasons, including improved strike rates and more six figures.
“In the next National T20 Cup in 2023 I scored 170-180 (492 runs at 178.90) and hit more sixes (29 in 12 innings). Then in my last National T20 Cup in 2025, I became the first player to hit a six with 40 runs in seven innings,” he said.
He further attributed the improvements at the higher levels of the competition, praising his evolving approach to aggressive batting.
“I hit more sixes for Pakistan in the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup and I think I am the leading sixer in the ongoing PSL as well,” he added.
The 30-year-old outlined the intensity of his training regime.
“You can score big runs, hit sixes especially during the powerplay, hit a better strike rate, hit a better strike rate as an opener. I’ve been working on these for the last one year. There’s a lot of effort behind my sixes. Asif Ali once said he hits 100 to 120 sixes every day, and I practice the same way.