Today, at a post-match conference which was held at the end of third one day international match between Pakistan and India, Rana Naveed confessed that Vicki Bhai has helped him enormously. Well guess what, your humble servant, phoenixdesi, figured it out 2 months ago. Here is one of my old posts:
“Not that Waqar’s appointment would have produced dramatic results right away, but certainly he is one of the greatest fast bowlers of our cricket history. I would also like to point out one thing. I realized that Rana and Rio Ifthikhar was producing a lot of reverse swing in last few matches of VB series during the death overs especially Rana was bowling those “Waqared type Yorkers” on a regular basis. I was totally surprised at the quality of those Yorkers. Waqar did mention during his commentary that he speaks to these pak bowlers sometimes. I think he might have given some tips to Rana and Rio which produced good results.”
By the time Pakistan approached the last few matches of VB series in Australia, its bowling resources were completely depleted as shoaib akhtar and sami had already been sent back to Pakistan. Every body was thinking that now Pakistan will be dead and it did happen in the next match against West Indies where Lara & Co. literally buried our bowling attack. I happened to be in Pakistan those days and saw all the matches live. Our bowling was so pathetic. At that point, Waqar Younis who was already in Australia as a commentator realized his responsibility as a senior fast bowler and approached Rana and Rao Ifthikar. Waqar did spent some time with them in the nets with the approval of Pakistan management Inzi and Bob). Trust me, in next few matches, I was so surprised seeing Rana who was a totally different bowler. He had much more control on his swing and his Yorkers were absolutely smashing. Rao was also impressive and both of them were producing reverse swing. That is why we started hearing news that Inzi and Bob want waqar to be the bowling coach. Alas, it never happened for real. All I can say that PCB is so stupid for not appointing Waqar Younis our bowling Coach.
Re: Waqar Younis's Impact on Pakistan's Fast Bowling - An Analysis
The only problem is when Shoaib Akhtar is in the team. He doesn't learn from anyone, and can't stand having a desi being given credit for giving him, the superstar, bowling tips be it Waqar Younis or Wasim Akram or Imran Khan. From what I understand of Akhtar, he considers it beneath him to learn from others. Rana, Rao, and others who have not reached super-stardom and are still humble, of course all too keen to enhance their skills.
Remember Pathan in Pakistan last year? He made it a point to go and visit Wasim Akram and Imran Khan and discuss his bowling with them. You have to applaud his eagerness to learn the he'd go even to the enemy's camp for the sake of learning. Indian lefties (Nehra, Pathan) but not Zaheer Khan (who is India's equivalent of Akhtar in terms of ego) acknowledge Wasim Akram as a major influence and inspiration in their careers. I haven't heard Shoaib Akhtar acknowledge having learnt anything from Wasim and Waqar, or even being impressed by them. Rumor has it that he once even told off Imran Khan who was trying to scold him for being wayward despite Imran's advice to concentrate on line & length.
Re: Waqar Younis’s Impact on Pakistan’s Fast Bowling - An Analysis
And what are you, the assistant coach to Woolmer that you know all this as a matter of fact? Stop blabbering if you don’t know what actually goes on inside the dressing room.
Re: Waqar Younis’s Impact on Pakistan’s Fast Bowling - An Analysis
Probably did. Also, Waqar once said about him that it probably would have been better for Pakistan cricket if Shoaib was born in Australia. He was replying to Shoaib’s comments that he would have been a better bowler had he born in Australia.
And I find this one particularly funny when Wasim Akram said about him, “Shoaib just comes and talks and plays one game, and then gets injured. He just thinks he is too good. He’s the only one who praises himself all the time, which means there is something seriously wrong with him.”
