Pakistan has a reputation of producing wonderfully talented bowlers. Doosra bowling magicians, strong pacemen with fearsome pace, and merchants of reverse swing–they have always managed to dominate world cricket and leave the audience regardless of their affiliations, completely mesmerised.
In the 90’s, Pakistan cricket enjoyed the service of the top cream of bowling talents born on their soil. Much like West Indies pace quartet of the 70’s and 80’s, Pakistani bowling attack had the dream combination of Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq at their service. Not to mention others like Abdul Razzaq, Azhar Mahmood, Mohammad Wasim and many others.
But, like every great era, the decline came, and these names no longer play for the nation. With the departure of these men, Pakistan was left to face the same set of problems which ordinarily great teams do – finding similar replacements. This never an easy task and requires a rare combination of luck and opportunity for sides to fill a huge void. Unfortunately, most teams fail at it, and Pakistan was no different.
It will be insensible to say that the Men in Green never got other unique talents but no one could match the calibre of the past legends.
However, things are on a change lately as Pakistan continue to develop step by step.
The re-emergence of Mohammad Amir coupled with the entry of Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, and Hasan Ali promises to bring the same level of potency in the bowling attack which Pakistan proudly possessed a decade ago.
The Champions Trophy 2017 victory and the 4-0 hammering handed out to Sri Lanka in the ongoing series in UAE is a testament to this fact. The Pakistan attack has grown into one of the best in the world out of nowhere.
“Yes, you can say that,” Sarfraz said, when asked if he considered his bowling attack the best in the world. “The way the bowlers have been performing since the Champions Trophy, we have bowled teams out for 240-230 and then chased them down well. Here, too, we are bowling well and chasing well. We should praise the bowlers, especially Hasan Ali, who is improving day by day. He is now the world No. 1 so I wish he keeps that and does well to win us matches. Shadab is doing well and so have Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Rumman Raees and Junaid Khan. The bowlers are doing well and importantly our bench is getting strong.”
Amir has proved he is still a highly talented individual capable of freak performances, Yasir Shah is the Test format flag bearer, Shadab Khan has already won over the hearts of fans, experts and critics while Hasan Ali, who is only 23-year-old, has become No.1 in the ICC bowling charts.
Also, the likes of Usman Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Rumman Raees and Junaid Khan are making the most of the opportunities that come their way. The selectors are surely doing a great job and must be happy with the way thing are panning out for the side.
“The best thing is that he bowls in an attacking manner, he tries to take wickets, tries learn with Azhar Mahmood [Pakistan’s bowling coach] and does his homework, asks other players how to bowl,” he said. “He asks me and my target is to get wickets through him. He attacks, and with every wicket, he is getting better and better.”
“I will first give selectors the credit, they chose good players and our effort is that, whoever we play, we should give them confidence and tell them to play like they do in domestic matches. The best thing is that they are playing with confidence and whoever plays gives an impact. As far as seniors are concerned, they play their roles. We have two seniors and they are doing their roles and whenever they get a chance they motivate the players and contribute in performance.”