Anyone who’s followed Razzaq since he came on the scene would know that he used to be a genuine wicket-taking bowler. His inswinging looping yorkers undid many accomplished batsmen. Wasim Akram rated this guy’s bowling action as the most natural and economical one he had seen. I saw him bowl the same guy at least 3 times with yorkers (in an U19 WC) that would’ve made the Ws proud - he still managed to bowl 2-3 no balls in that awesome burst.
he was the pivot that leant the delicate balance to our ODI side that made us one of the top cricket nations a couple of years ago.
And then… he lost it all.
So, it came as no surprise when our team lost that balance and depth of talent that made our team the envy of cricket nations as Razzaq descended into mediocrity. Many commentators the world over have wondered what exactly changed Razzaq from an attacking medium-fast bowler to a line-and-length floater.
Somehow the only people who haven’t let the wasting away of such an oustanding talent disturb their sleep are the PCB head honchos. oh bhai, ask the guy what his problem is. ask him if he needs more money, new kit, snazzier sunglasses etc etc. I mean why such apathy towards a guy who was touted as the next Imran Khan.
Dean Jones or Healy said that Razzaq had some sort of an injury a couple of years back and since then his bowling has wilted. Anyone have an idea what they are talking about? I personally think he might have just had enough of cricket for now. Maybe he needs a break to rediscover his hunger for the game. I know he’s been very successful as a batsman but his attitude when he’s bowling makes me think that he’s just not passionate enough for bowling at the highest level. after all, he has played a LOT of games for someone his age.
so, why do you guys think Razzaq’s bowling has gone down the tube? what in your opinion is the solution?
^^ samb, i think he had a wrist fracture and actually needed surgery for that 2...that changed everythin for his bowlin after he came back...he wasn't as fast as he used to be and he couldn't swing the ball as much, if @ all...i'm not sure who the match was against, when he got injured...i think it was just a couple of yrs back, not that long ago...probably 2001/2002...
i don't know what the nature of the surgery was other than the obvious, i.e. repair the damage...i'd give him the benefit of the doubt that he just can't have the same bowlin action which is impacting his wicket takin etc...
however, i do agree with u on his attitude...even if there was a pyschological effect that his wrist injury had caused (knowin that he won't be able to bowl as well etc), 2 yrs is ample time to be rid of it...and i do think that he surely has some potential still which can be utlizied fully if he changes his attitude...
There were times when Wasim and Shoaib went wicketless or expensive in the opening spell and fans like us were actually looking forward to see the ever reliable Razzaq. We knew that this guy can not only contain runs but also had an exceptional ability to claim the wicket, taking the batsman totally by surprise. He had this mystery in his bowling that nobody could figure him out. He used to have couple of tricks up his sleeve that he frequently unleashed it to the batsmen. Mind you, he was never fast or looked threatening but everyone knew what was coming.
Now look at him. I can't believe why the right individuals who can change him couldn't see his talent deterioting at this young age.Only if they can divert their full attention away from Sami and Shoaib. Razzaq now is more like college level bowler. The batsmen who once feared him because of his unpredictability now look forward to his bowling so that they can get some net practice.
I personally believe it's because of the lack of attention by the coaches. As long he keep hitting on sixes everyone is happy.He is also short on confidence. Maybe he is afraid of variation. A good bowler always try to be creative and to me Razzaq is still living on the past. The opposition team exactly know what to expect from him.
Who knows a good bowling coach can make a difference? I believe Wasim is the best candidate. Imran(not that he is gonna accept the coaching job) is retired and has been out of cricket for a long time now and his main interest is not cricket but politics.When it comes to bowling tips Wasim should be consulted. Imran khan is good for giving motivational speeches. Under Wasim Both Razzaq and Azhar Mehmood flourished.
Nothing wrong with the wrist. I still can't forget his six over long-on in the recent NZ series. The friggin ball landed in the top tier. Its just too much cricket for him. County cricket isn't helping much either. I would bench him for a couple of matches…Give the player some room to analyze himself…watch his videos..make adjustments. But who wants to do all that when your 'name' allows you to make money by playing at a mediocre level all year long.
Razzaq has not bowled well in a test match for years now. It's not something new. He was played in this match as a batsman according to Miandad. The logic of this is incredible to me. Against South Africa it might have made sense but what are the chances of him scoring a century against a side with a decent leggie like Kumble in it?
razaq qas my fav but he hs broken my heart.... and yes since his wrist injury he ahs never been the same ( though whether the injury has really effected his bowling or it was just an excuse for the decline in that department... will never know).
It was his left wrist that was fractured. Not his bowling hand. His form was suffering wven before that series. It happend when he dumped pakistani team to play county cricket and his bowling figures suffered there and since then its all down hill.
