A Good Read…
**Pathan learnt it from Akram **
BRISBANE: Fast bowler Irfan Pathan played a stellar role in Sunday’s critical victory over Australia. But within twelve hours after the energy-sapping performance, he was back in the nets fine-tuning his bowling.
He looked enthusiastic and full of energy as he walked into the Gabba sharp at noon; he also looked very cheerful and he had every reason to feel that way: his idol, Wasim Akram, was by his side to give him tips.
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Times News Network learnt that Irfan tagged along with Akram, who was going there for a television shoot, as soon as he got to know about his schedule.
The Pakistani sultan of swing and cut has been the unofficial bowling coach since John Wright invited him almost two months ago. Australia’s Bruce Reid is, of course, the official bowling coach.
Akram has had a few stints with the players earlier too. He looked as earnest as Irfan himself. “He is a good bloke, with lot of potential,” he had said during India’s opening game in the VB Series at Melbourne. “He runs in fast and that’s the first sign of a good fast bowler."
Irfan stormed into the touring party by taking nine for 16 against Bangladesh during the Asian Under-19 championship. He played his first game at Adelaide as India’s bowling attack came apart with injuries.
He impressed the connoisseurs with his pace, his aggression and his willingness to learn. He picked up three wickets, including that of Hayden and Gilchrist, on Sunday to give a mean and young look to the Indian team.
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It was fascinating to see Akram and Irfan in action: the master and his pupil. Both have similar frames: same height, same body structure and same good looks. If anything, Akram looks like the completed version.
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Akram showed him how to hold the ball, how to use his fingers for those special deliveries and how to complete his follow-through. If Irfan had any doubts, he would promptly show him exactly what he meant and how to do it.
The king of left-handed bowlers said that he hadn’t felt a ball in six months, since July; ** but as he demonstrated his art, it looked like he had bowled just six hours earlier.
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He might just be a tad heavier now, but his run-up was as smooth as ever; the new red ball too looked as dangerous and beautiful as it has always done in his hand. It swung away aesthetically, both ways, as he released it ever so slowly.
Irfan could only gasp in astonishment.
For more than an hour, the two went through imaginary situations of bowling to right-handers, to left-handers, to opening batsmen to tail-enders.
Akram spent considerable time explaining how to use his fingers for the slower delivery: “the key is to deceive the batsman. He should not see any difference in your arm swing,” he kept saying.
Irfan bowled one, and another and by the fourth, the ball was pitching perfectly outside the off-stump, close to the imaginary batsman. He’s obviously a quick learner.
As the two worked and played, the television crew too completed its job. Sadly, ESPN’s reporter Gautam Bhimani, who came all padded up and well-equipped, couldn’t get out off a rising Wasim delivery and got hit on his ribs.
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:rotfl:
The sultan clearly hasn’t forgotten his art.
