Finally-- Imran and Wasim to work with Sami and Co.

Entertainment Cricket and Other Sports
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Imran, Wasim to hold special sessions with present pacers](http://www.jang-group.com/thenews/jan2004-daily/27-01-2004/sports/s3.htm)

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to seek the expertise of former fast bowling great’s Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Aaqib Javed to hold special ‘build-up’ sessions with the present generation of pacers to prepare them for the series against India.

The Pakistan Board has decided to turn to Imran and Wasim as it is particularly concerned with the inconsistent form of the 22-year-old Muhammad Sami, one of its main strike bowlers.

Sami who has taken 32 test wickets in 12 matches and 71 wickets in 45 One-day Internationals took just six wickets at the expensive rate of 45 per wicket in the recent five-match ODI series in New Zealand.

PCB Chief Executive Rameez Raja said that Sami is an outstanding talent but was facing problems and the idea was he should be settled and confident before the India series as he forms a formidable new ball partnership with Shoaib Akhtar. “We want Imran and Wasim to work with him and see where he is going wrong,” Rameez said and added that the idea behind asking Imran and the others to hold special sessions with the fast bowlers was that the current bowlers could learn from their experiences, iron out any technical irritants and get mentally prepared for the series against India.

“Shabbir who has been reported for his action will also have to be nursed back to his normal form before the series,” he pointed out.

Rameez said that Imran Khan has told the Pakistan Board that Sami’s problem stems from the fact that he is trying to take a wicket with every ball.

“According to Imran Sami is trying very hard to take a wicket on every ball he balls and this is not helping him and would affect him in the long run,” Rameez stated.

Rameez said he agreed with Imran’s viewpoint because it doesn’t work like that in international cricket. Imran said that Pakistan had the bowling line-up to test the Indian batsmen who are currently in flowing form in Australia.

Rameez Raja said that Wasim Akram would be asked to help out as soon as he returned from Australia next month.

Wasim’s decision to offer assistance and advice to the Indian bowlers in Australia has become the subject of some debate in Pakistan but Raja said the Board was not bothered with it.

“I don’t think it is such a big issue. He is a retired cricketer and highly respected as a quality fast bowler. It is natural that other bowlers like to take advice and tips from him. We just want him to be available for us when possible.”

Wasim is presently in Australia doing commentary for ESPN/Star Sports.

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:jhanda:

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Good news. Hope it works out. :jhanda:

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If true this will be just magic.

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Wasim is an Smart Ass. :)
Good for Sami.

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finally:jhanda:

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Realized it too late! :rotfl:

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nah…PCB realized it too late. :rotfl:

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Never too late for the PCB. :jhanda:

Edit: Why do you say that anyway?

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only if you say so. :slight_smile:

better late than never! :k: :jhanda: way to go, PCB

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Finally :jhanda:

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i hope it really works

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Too many cooks in Pakistan kitchen?](BBC SPORT | Cricket | Too many cooks in Pakistan kitchen?)

Pakistan intend to leave no stone unturned as they seek the perfect formula ahead of their long-awaited series against India in March and April.

They will employ no less than three bowling coaches in the shape of Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Aqib Javed.

The prospect of three Tests and five one-day internationals is mouth-watering indeed.

While former captain Asif Iqbal is as excited as anyone about the series - the first between the two sides in Pakistan for 14 years - he thinks three bowling coaches is one too many.

“Obviously when you have people of the calibre of Wasim and Imran around it’s always a good thing to call on them to get their expert advice,” Asif told BBC Sport.

"But I really think having three bowling coaches is a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.

"It would be better to have two of the three and I think Wasim and Imran, in terms of their experience and their aura, would be the ones I would go for.

“The youngsters would look up to them and pay them plenty of attention.”

Pakistan’s team management say they are a little concerned about one of their pacemen, Mohammad Sami.

A fearsome prospect at the best of the times, he was clearly off colour at times during the recent tour of New Zealand.

And his overall record, particularly in Tests, suggests that consistency is not his finest asset.

“He has shown, in some of the matches both for Kent and Pakistan that he can win matches on his own,” says Asif.

“But there are times when he can also look very, very ordinary. I am sure the bowling coaches will be able to help him.”

The main challenge for Wasim, Imran and Aqib could be to ensure the bowlers are psychologically prepared.

With the series likely to be over-hyped in the coming weeks, the pressure to perform well could weigh heavily on some very young shoulders.

Viewing the recent form of both sides, Asif argues Pakistan are a more rounded side than India.

“After seeing what India did in Australia, they deserve a huge amount of respect,” he says.

"But Pakistan have enjoyed two important wins in recent months as well. They beat South Africa in a Test series at home and then New Zealand on their own soil.

"The Indian team is really dominated by their batting whereas Pakistan have both batting and bowling to offer.

"The key thing from Pakistan’s point of view is how fit and how good Sami and Shoaib Akhtar will be.

“India, on the other hand, will have tremendous confidence after the Test series in Australia.”

But if Wasim, Imran and Aqib work their magic on Pakistan’s attack, some of that confidence could be thwarted.

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inshAllah it will really work:jhanda:

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This is the first time I’ve heard Aaqib’s name in the list. all other reports says its going to be Imran and Waseem only. :confused: I hope the news abt Aaqib is not true.

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The opening post in this thread also mentions Aaqib.

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I don't think Aaqib Javed will be working out on the fitness of bowlers. He has much bigger assignment on his hands i.e. to coach the U-19 Pakistan side for World Cup tournament.