Fearsome Zahid ready for return

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
1

08.08.2001 By RICHARD BOOCK

Pakistan are preparing to unleash another express pace bowler in next month’s series against New Zealand.

The nation that gave us Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami is reportedly close to announcing the all-clear for reformed speed merchant Mohammad Zahid, who terrorised the 1996 New Zealand team in the second test at Rawalpindi.

Zahid took 11 wickets on debut, including a match-winning spell of seven for 66 in the second innings as the Steve Rixon-coached New Zealand side were defeated by an innings and 13 runs.

The lanky paceman later suffered a string of injuries which forced him out of the international arena, but the 25-year-old is now apparently fit, bowling faster than ever, and being aimed at next month’s New Zealand team.

Pakistan newspapers said yesterday that Zahid had been put through an intensive rehabilitation programme in Lahore and was just a fortnight away from being pronounced 100 per cent fit.

The News International said Zahid had been bowling regularly in the nets at fearsome pace, prompting his team-mates to suggest he was a reborn bowler and injury-free.

Zahid, who played four tests between 1996 and 1998, was described as the fastest bowler in the world at that time. But he broke down during the tour of Sri Lanka and later developed a career-threatening back problem while playing for English county Nottinghamshire.

It is thought the Pakistan Cricket Board plans to introduce him as a surprise weapon against New Zealand, in which case he will take his place alongside Akhtar, Waqar Younis and possibly Sami.

Sami, another Pakistan fast bowler who destroyed New Zealand’s batting on debut, is apparently still resting from a shin injury, but could be ready to face New Zealand.

The news that Zahid and Sami may return will doubtless counter the relief being felt within the New Zealand camp over the absence of usual nemesis Wasim Akram, who was surprisingly left out of the training squad.

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abhi to toota hai dil hi teri judai mein…
girein gi hum pe abhi aur bijlian kitni…

2

I thought muhammed zahid's career was over!! glad to hear he is gonna come back with bang!!! He surely was fast at that time!!!lets hope he balls faster than before..

3

dont read too much into it .. after all Samee Shoaib and Shabeer were 'fearsome' 'fast' 'Pinidi' lalukhet Exrpress etc. were so hyped up and none lived up to thier potential ... I have seen Zahid bowl and he is good but how long it will be when he is gonna breakdown ? again that is !

Hey one more thing
These things are hard to explain
For some it seems strange... to swallow
The frontier of our minds
Is the last place we find
But maybe the first place we should go

4

if past is anything to go by it will be a contest between Shoaib and Zahid as to who breaksdown first, shoaib after his customary two and half overs or Zahid after five overs. Good contest.

5

It would be nice to see him back like when he first appeared when he not only generated speed but fearsome bounce as well. He had a beautiful easy action as well, but after injury I can't see him being the same bowler.

6

Yar whats the use? Every other fast bowler Pakistan produces is not fit enough to bowl at test level. Bowling fast seems like a joke now. Theres no one to carry on the fast bowling traditions laid down Imran, Wasim and Waqar. Wasim at his worst is better than these new ones.

Poisoned Hearts, Poisoned Minds// Join In Hate
We're Like Machines// Dead, Do Not Create
Sitting Docile// While All around is Rot
We Point Fingers// But Destruction Never Stops

7

[quote]
Originally posted by Scratch:
**Yar whats the use? Every other fast bowler Pakistan produces is not fit enough to bowl at test level. Bowling fast seems like a joke now. Theres no one to carry on the fast bowling traditions laid down Imran, Wasim and Waqar. Wasim at his worst is better than these new ones.

**
[/quote]

True, none of them knows how to contain runs, only WASIM knows. At one time I was big fan of speed... Waqar, then realised that speed is not more important than technique.

We oughta be Changez like, don't we?

8

well i feel the main thing is to stay fit throughout the year. As long as they start keeping that in mind they can do anything. plus they have to start planning how to bowl to a certain person in a certain circumstances. All the talk about mental toughness and visualization and stuff is afterall not false.