Sami is one of a new generation of Pakistan fast bowlers starting to make his mark in the national team.
The slender paceman had played in only one domestic tournament - the Quaid-e-Azam (QEA) Trophy 2000/01 - and a four-day game against England when he was chosen to represent Pakistan for the tour of New Zealand.
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He made an immediate impact, taking five wickets in his first Test.
Despite a fairly short run-up, Sami manages to generate impressive speed, consistently clocking around 90mph.
He has also quickly got to grips with the traditional outswing and yorker-length reverse-swing.
He has grabbed has grabbed hat-tricks in both forms of the game - both in 2002 - and averages around 27 in one-day cricket.
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