SumaiL: new hope for OG

While not often considered among the titans of esports, Pakistan has produced EVO 2019 Tekken champion Arslan "Arslan Ash" Siddique and two Dota 2 brothers in Yawar "YawaR" Hassan and Syed Sumail "SumaiL" Hassan.

SumaiL first started playing Dota at internet cafes with his friends and cousin for hours, selling his bicycle in order to afford more screen time. During this time, his aptitude for the game was becoming evident but it wasn't until his family moved from Karachi to Illinois in 2013 that this potential was first harnessed.

With a computer of his own, a 14-year-old SumaiL went on to dominate online competitions and the North American Elite League, becoming the highest rated player in the in-house league.

In 2015, Evil Geniuses were the team to give him a chance after at the insistence of Saahil "Universe" Arora. Universe is one of only eight players to compete in 1000+ pro Dota 2 games with a single franchise and until last year's TI, had participated in all Valve-sponsored events.

High praise from the veteran player saw many eyes fall on SumaiL during his LAN debut at the Dota 2 League Season 5 in Las Vegas. It was far from perfect, with many wondering if SumaiL was too inexperienced and not quite ready for a place on a top team like EG.

The Asia Championship the following month would be a shot at redemption and SumaiL did not miss, helping EG secure the 3-0 victory over Vici Gaming with a meta-defining Euls Scepter of Divinity Shadow Fiend build from the teenager.

Victory at The International 2015 saw SumaiL became one of the most successful Dota 2 players in history at just 16 years old.

He went on to feature in Time Magazine's top 30 influential teenagers of 2016 list as the first Dota 2 player to ever appear.

SumaiL played for Evil Geniuses up until September 2019 when he was removed from the active roster and replaced by Abed "Abed" Yusop. He then played briefly with his brother YawaR in Quincy Crew before leaving that project too.

Following his departure from Evil Geniuses, one OG player made a joke that has since come true.

SumaiL has played his whole career in Position 2 with the ability to shift the meta and let it work in his favour. OG's own surprising and innovative game plans could well fit with this going forward. ,

The change to Position 1 and the carry is a big step, but a player like SumaiL should be able to step up to the challenge as he once did back when he was just a teenager.