Islamabad: Upcoming left hand pace bowler Zia ul Haq names  legendary Wasim Akram as the hero he looks up to in his bid to become a top rated cricketer.

Since his first class debut on October 2010 at the age of 15, Zia has turned heads in the cricket world and the media despite his young career. His debut season saw him take 10 wickets in 4 matches at just under 29 apiece.

His journey into first class cricket was uncertain due to strong competition and his illustrious involvement with the Pakistan Under -19 set up.

However, his chance came when he impressed PIA with his performance at the National One Day Cup first division last year, taking 13 wickets in 7 matches at an economy rate of just under 4.5. The opposing team’s batsmen are wary even of his slow wickets, said his team mates.

“Wasim Akram has always been my inspiration, I just loved watching him bowl. I only watched him when he was at the tail end of his illustrious career but the collection of videos and DVDs of his bowling have always been an inspiration to me,” Zia told Pakpassion.net.

Zia was so in awe of the great cricketer that he dared not approach Akram when he visited once at a PIA practice session.

“He was chatting to some of the other players but I was just too shy to speak with him. Hopefully at some point in the future I will see him again and this time I am determined to speak with him and get some advice regarding my bowling.”

Zia is presently based in the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, receiving one-on-one guidance from some of the best coaches on his bowling as well as his physical conditioning.