Post Packer, Imran became a true role model as fast bowler, captain, and glamour boy. Without him would we have had Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis? Probably yes, but in the way they developed, probably not. Without Imran, Wasim and Waqar would we have Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Asif? I guess not. It is interesting how many Indian fast bowlers also point to Wasim, in particular, as a role model.

All of which leads me to a troublesome conclusion. If you accept my hypothesis about the power of role model, what example are Shoaib and Asif setting? Shoaib’s unprofessional attitude has become legend, and an intermittent maestro is an unsatisfactory role model. Both of them have been tainted by the drugs scandal. Under a new captain, coach, and reprieve from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Pakistan cricket has the look of somebody who has cheated the electric chair: bewildered euphoria.

Shoaib and Asif must now become role models who will inspire their team but also the future fast bowlers of Pakistan, a serious responsibility. We will now discover if they are capable of greatness like the role models who went before them.

Interesting observation Mr. Abbassi. Me too, I was thinking on the same lines as you after reading Mohammad Asif's interview on cricinfo by Anand Vasu. I won't say 'great minds think alike' but, I would say 'fools seldom disagree' ;-). As a bowler Asif is intelligent in spotting and exploiting the weakness of a batsman and also in maintaining his line and length. And that is his strength as a fast bowler. But, he is neither a glitterati nor a literati or, even a celebrity yet to talk like one. It sounds more of a desi "litterati" by accepting and echoing the praise, accolades and compliments from people that, he is Pakistan's McGrath. Its like, a monkey praising his own tail, imo its a bit immature to admit and talk about it, he should let the people talk about it, he could have easily avoided that comment to show some maturity. But, thats him and his Pay & do pun.

On the dietary plan and Punjab's water, Rameez Raja also aired similar views on TV once when asked by someone that, how come Pakistan produces more fast bowlers than India? Raja's response was similar he said, 'Punjab's water and diet plan makes the difference between Indian and Pakistani fast bowlers'. Kapil Dev's home town is on the other side of the river and he was better than most of the other mediocre Pakistani bowlers, so restrict these attributes only for Pakistani bowlers? The urdu commentator Munir Hussain, so pompously boasted once about Manzoor Elahi that, Manzoor Elahi hails from "the land of milk and yogurt" and that is why he is such a powerful hitter of the ball. Afridi is not from the land of milk and yogurt but, he is the most powerful hitter of the ball.

To a certain extent high protein diet plans makes a difference but, you are right in saying that inspiration and motivation plays more important role in improving and honing one's skills and abilities and also by idolizing your heroes. But, your examples of Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar is not so convincing Mr. Abbassi. Because, both of these bowlers have clocked the speeds of high eighties but hardly ever crossed the nineties. Mohammad Sami is not from the mercurial land of Punjab where the rivers are full of milk and yogurt, he has constantly bowled over 90 m.p.h. and crossed the mid 90 barrier several times. He grew up drinking water from the Liari river or from the Kalri lake or Hale jee or Dhabe jee lake, whatever, so its not important whether you drink water from the river or from a bottle from "Pani-Ghar".

Fast bowling is more of a culture thing and I totally agree with you that it was Imran Khan who took the fast bowling to the zenith of modern day cricket with his intelligence and innovations during the post Packer era. I also agree with you that without Imran Khan, W&W may not have been the same bowlers of their era. Otherwise, during the pre-Imran and pre-Sarfaraz era there were fast bowlers like Mahmood Hussain, Mohammad Munaf, Nasim ul Ghani, Majid Khan, Asif Masood, Saleem Altaf etc., but none so effective, perhaps some of them idolized Fazal Mahmood, who became a legend due to his in-cutters and off-cutters and because of his flamboyant lifestyle he was known as the Bryl Cream boy owing to his glamorous looks, his lazy and lethargic attitude in picking up the ball and more than anything else he shot to stardom due to his magical spell at the Oval. He too was not a genuine fast bowler but, a unique medium pacer who was able to seam and cut the ball with ease and take wickets.

Its a shame that English players and the English media made a big hue and cry after loosing against Imran Khan's team and called not only Imran but, W&W as cheats. Now, when the English bowlers are able to reverse swing the ball, they refer it as The Art of English Swing Bowling. I consider Imran Khan as the greatest legend of Pakistan cricket, but I am not always convinced by his sponsored comments meant to praise the young players which have often ruined and destroyed their careers rather than helping them in becoming a legend or even in improving or lifting their game. Mohammad Sami and Younis Khan are examples of Imran's constant praise which got into their heads and they failed.

Finally, on your comments about Shoaib and Asif to become role models is only a wishful thinking. Shoaib has a few more seasons of cricket left in his career and there is nothing much that he can do except being remembered as the big bully boy who clocked 100 m.p.h. and was involved in 100 other controversies. Whereas, Asif may continue for another decade or so and may create or break a few records and achieve good results but, he cannot become a role model or a torch bearer for the future fast bowlers 'coz of the taboo that he is carrying with him. Besides, he needs a lot of maturity to demonstrate his class with some real finesse in articulating his thoughts and in shaping his words like his bowling. He should only concentrate on bowling and in taking wickets the results will speak, the people will speak, and he shouldn't.

Mohammad Asif says, "India has always produced batsmen and Pakistan have had strong bowling attacks. In Pakistan, especially from Punjab, fast bowlers come through. I don't know what it is about Punjab. But the aggression and physicality you need to be a fast bowler, that's something you see in people from Punjab. Maybe it's the diet plan, what you eat, what you drink. I don't know what it is but they're strong people."
In spite of your "alternative theory" the ground reality is that all of the big names in fast bowling, that you mentioned, are from Punjab. Even the great Fazal Mehmood that you didn't mention.
But the simple thing is that its still a mystery....

Your are right Kamran Abbasi we need a role models who will inspire future fast bowlers for Pakistan cricket. Or we will become like India cricket team no express bowlers...

Kamran Saab,
Fazal Mahmood was truly the first great Pakistani paceman. As far as I know he was the complete medium-fast bowler. He retired from test cricket in 1962. From then, for another 10-12 years, there was no pace bowler of note in Pakistan. Starting with the Imran-Sarfaraz era, Pakistan has produced a long line of quality fast bowlers.
Wonder why that gap between Fazal's retirement and Imran-Safaraz debuts?
Rajan

Dear Kamran,

I agree with you on your point about the power of a rolemodel, but disagree with you on the point you make about Asif and Shoaib being the wrong type of rolemodel for future Pakistani fastbowlers. Imran Khan was a playboy. So where Wasim, Waqar etc... to some degree. They had their whims, not always positive. But in the end, youngsters are inspired by the onfield display of the rolemodel. In that case, I think, Pakistan has got tremendous rolemodels. And do not forget the likes of Umar Gul and Rao Iftikhar, who are worthy of being rolemodels, not highprofile, but hardworking.

I can't say much about your theory. But in parallel to what you have said, i think its the fact the people like Imran Khan are born once in a century, no bias intended. He was a great talent no doubt like wasim, waqar and shoaib but the thing that places him above all others were his principles,belief in himself and the ability to lead. I guess, in a way its something inert in the current generation of talent in Pakistan. Muhammad Asif, though, looks quite promising (relative to Shoaib) in his short career uptil now. Lets see how he continues to develop.

Kamran jee, I am from India and I have a altogether different explanation for the lack of good fast bowlers in India. Everyone here wants to be a batsman. I remember in my school days, whenever we played cricket, the toss winning captain always chose the 'Batting First' option. It was quite common that after the first inning, play would get abondoned due to some minor issues and the 'Bowling First' team would not get a chance to bat. This often used to lead to verbal fights. The psychological thought in India even among the kids is that batting is higher art compared to bowling.

I agree with Mr.Kamran that the abundance of fast bowlers in Pakistan is not due to diet but due to role models in almost every decade....But I don,t agree that Shoaib and Asif can,t be the future role models.The thing is that controversies and scandals were always behind the role models like Imran Khan and Wasim Akram.Imran remembered as the glamour boy and Wasim Akram has been associated with the scandals in his era..of match fixing etc etc....but they all share one thing..passion in their blood and mastery in their skills.thats why they are the role models, and I think lot of us can see this passion in Asif and Shoaib as well.I think shoaib has become more matured now and asif will be so I don,t think we will lose our role models in any era.We all pray that Pakistan cricket continues to produce such talents like wasim ,waqar ,shaoib so the younger generation can always loook up to them........

Great Post. Personally, I don't think Shoaib or Asif are capable of being the role models that Imran was to Wasim and Waqar. I think when it comes to Shoaib, he has his own demons to fight. I think asking Shoaib to focus on his game is a tough task, let alone having him being a role model to youngsters. I am not criticizing his talent or skill, as i am one of his biggest fans. As for Asif, i think Asif is still an amateur getting his feet wet. Let Asif get through this busy cricketing seasion we have coming and then we ll have this conversation.

Well i do agree with you Mr. Abbasi but in the past Wasim and Waqr and even Imran faced the issues like "bowl tempering" Wasim and Waqar getting on each other................
All of this but still they are legends.......
lets hope Shoaib and Asif get their cricket moeover pakistan cricket back on track........
lets hope for the very best......
Best of Luck to both of them.....

The clear disparity in the fast bowling department
between India and Pakistan can be attributed to both Physical strength and role models/tradition.
Physical strength depends on diet and genetics.

However, the key point is the available Role models or mentors. India always had great spin bowlers and they still are producing quality spin bowlers, over the years India neglected the fast bowling department as their spinners and medium pacers did the job for them, but now the focus is shifting and India is desperately trying to develop express fast bowlers.

Pakistan was lucky to have great fast bowlers from the inception in fact if it was not for Fazal Mahmood Pakistan would not have gotten test status so early after independence. Fazal had an almost unplayable leg cutter, he had the amazing ability to swing a ball pitched outside leg stump toward the slips just like a leg spinner,
He was not express only fast medium but due to his charisma and character he was regarded as an Imran Khan before Imran khan in my opinion he was the original torch bearer of this great fast bowling tradition.
I do not agree with Kamran that Imran was a mere medium pace bowler when he joined Kerry Packer's world series as I still remember they had a fast bowling competition in late 70,s in which all the leading fast bowlers took part, Jeff Thompson clocked the fastest ball around 149 and Imran and Micheal Holding on average were the fastest bowlers, the accuracy trophy was shared between Sarfraz and Thompson, both of them knocked the middle stump four times.

Imran and Sarfraz both have been extremely generous in terms of mentoring the young fast bowlers and passing them on the tricks of the trade, they acted like a huge knowledge base which helped Pakistan in producing quality fast bowlers.
Also Pakistan got blessed by the natural talent of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.

I don't think that the onus of torch bearing lies on the shoulders of Shoaib and Asif as of yet, I think the responsibility lays with PCB they should have used the 2W's in grooming and nurturing the upcoming fast bowlers as both of them are in a better position to be the role model and mentors than Asif and Shoaib, as both are still playing and Shoaib in particular is not generous in helping youngsters I know it from a personal experience. It’s too early to make them the mentors.

If Wasim and Waqar are not used for fast bowling coaching camps in future then Pakistan might continue to produce bowlers like Sami who have the Pace but are completely flat and do not possess the art of swing and the extra ordinary wicket taking ability.

Well Shoiab could have done better , but i still think he is a role model for lots of fast bowler's in pakistan . They want to ball fast and really fast and they have seen how this guy has come through odds . lets see how Shoiab ends his career he might have 2 years only if he keeps him self fit .

As per Asif i belive me has lots to prove, let him play for atleast 5 years then we will see where he stand

imran wasnt a medium fast pacer he was geniunly quick.....n dats on records mr ....chill

Nice little article, I agree with Kamran. The other problem with Indian Cricket is, even at a young age from as far back as I can recall, Indian have always had a batsmen as a Role Model? Sachin, Sunil, Dravid to name just three at present. So during the growing up of a young cricketers career, more attention is paid to a batsmen for example when sachin departs? Pak Cricket has been different, late 70's early 80's and into the 90's I would watch Imran Khan running in and letting Rip the Red Cherry? Towards the end of his career, Wasim and Waqar appeared on the scene? Great, Great Bowlers. During the hot British summers I remember me and my friends down in the park playing cricket and rather than batting we wanted to bowl to emulate the 2 W's?

The Point I'm trying to Make, for the last 30 years of so, Pakistanis have had great batsman, but from an early age we want to be the next Wasim, Waqar, Shoahib or Asif. I don't see that mentality coming from Young Indian starting out there careers in Indian etc. I guarantee if you were to go to an Indian school right now during their lunch? All the little kids would know only one name which is Sachin & Dravid. Bowling comes second to Indians?

This is more an observation? But Pak Cricket (Especially on Bowling in the next 10-15 years will be Great)??? Reason I say that is I went to a Pak Cricket Training camp and few years back in Lahore? and watching 12-16 years wanting to be the next great Pakistani fast bowler was very refreshing, and to mention also. These teens looked very fast even at such a young age? I don't mind picking up a cricket bat at times? but would hate to face some of those guys when they turn 19-20 for example? It will be nothing but raw pace? So Watch Pak to be ontop of ICC Bowling ranking with 10 years.

Atlast someone gives a different view on this topic. I remember an Indian telling me the secret behind Zaheer Khan's success (he was relatively a new face and starting to get success) being the fact that he eats beef. I couldn't help but laugh on his face.
I have never played competitive cricket. Only at a level that could be termed 'pre-club' cricket. I'm 5'9" weighing less than 60 kg. People tell me I'm the skinniest person they've ever seen. My parents being indian migrates, our eating habbits are more like indians. But, even on this 'frame and diet', I can bowl much faster than a lot of my friends who are much strongly built, come from Punjab and eat beef. I'm pretty sure, if I had the chance to train properly and play prefessionally, I'd be consistently touching the 85 mph mark, even at more or less the same physique.
What's the driving force behind it? As you said, role models of Imran, Wasim, Waqar and partly of Shoaib.

Well Said

Very true, I totally agree with you Kamran. The 2 Ws and Imran Khan have been the greatest inspeiration for every youngster who wants to step into cricket world. In Pakistan people's mind set is such that if you are not a hard hitting batsman or a fast bowler, your not considered as a cricketer. This is probably why Paksitan lacks pateient batsmen, good fielders and worldclass spin bowlers.
Secondly, WHERE IS PAKISTAN? where every nation is busy in cricket Pakistan has only played 3 ODIs since the Worldcup... Now we have to wait till the Twenty20 championship finishes to see any form of cricketing action from Pakistan...Why is the summer being wasted?

Imran Khan was a great fast bowler. At his bowling peak he had almost all the tricks of the trade … and then some. On top of that, he was majestic --- personally I still believe that Imran Khan running in to bowl over the wicket to a right handed batsman is Cricket at its best --- raw power for speed, smooth motion in the air, the gliding jump and the faultless delivery action --- is probably the most perfect sight to see. Then there were those super in-swinging deliveries that were followed by one that would move away.

Yes … I am an Imran Khan fan … and yes I have dreamt many a times to be able to bowl that way. I am sure that I am not the only one who dreamt that way and I am sure that it did result in more kids trying harder and harder to be like Imran. Thus, Pakistan Cricket has enjoyed the results in the form of some of the best fast bowling attacks in the not so distant past.

That said --- I think that Shoaib Akhtar with all his misconducts --- is not far behind --- he also is as majestic in the run up, in the jump and at the delivery time. For me --- if anyone comes close to what Imran had to offer --- then it is Shoaib Akhter. And he can send some viciously quick deliveries that can swing in or out. But there is something missing … Imran Khan could bowl long spells, in heat, without loosing his line, length, swing or control of the ball. He could bowl some nasty and long spells.

Shoaib has yet to deliver on accuracy and fitness --- a little attitude for a decent looking quickie is understandable and at times required. Shoaib can deliver on these promises … he just needs to take care of himself so he is fit enough for some marathon spells and … he needs to stay away from ALL illegal drugs.

He is “THE ONE”, he just needs to deliver!

I'm not sure if Wasim and Waqar set the greatest example as role models either. Infighting, match-fixing, jealousy, the carribean, and ball-tampering were all allegations made against Wasim and Waqar. At the end of the day their fans will remember them for that their exploits on the field and I imagine the same will hold for Shoaib and Asif.

Hmmmm ... Interesting!

I agree with you. Our history is full of great bowlers. thats the reason, everyone wants to become like imran khan, wasim akram etc. As a result we have plenty of fast bowling options available now.

A very interesting new thread Mr Abbasi!

I find it remarkable that the Indian Punjab fails to produce bowlers of as exceptional quality as Pakistani Punjab does. An exciting observation in the past few years has been that Indian Punjabis are accounting for a sizeable proportion of India’s pace battery- bowlers like RP Singh, VRV Singh and Ashish Nehra. One issue here might be related to India’s size and demographics; with a population of 1.2 billion and people who speak hundreds of languages, Indian Punjabis account for roughly 6-7% of the population. You hear of allegations that India always wants to keep a proportionate representation of the different regions, languages and religions in their team to keep everyone happy. That may be a reason why we don’t see many more Indian Punjabi fast bowlers or Tamil/Kannada orthodox batsmen.
Your theory about role models like Sarfraz and Imran is probably correct to a degree, but I do think diet issues help. Much of the developed Pakistani Punjab is still quite conservative as far as diet and other parts of Punjab’s culture are concerned. That aside, what I find highly astonishing is that people from Pakistani Kashmir and NWFP are also predominantly “agriculturally-conservative” in their diet as well as much of their culture as Punjabis are, yet we do not see a comparable stream of budding fast bowlers from these areas.
Just to further the “role model” argument, in my childhood I used to emulate Waqar Younis’s run up and action. Waqar for me is amongst the top five cricketers of the century even from an unbiased point of view. I used to spend hours and hours trying to grip the ball differently, releasing the ball from different stages in the action and different angles, just to see whether I could bowl like Waqar. If I would have been a cricketer I would have been very successful, but I couldn’t pursue this ambition owing to parental pressure. Anyway, most of the people I used to play with were players much older than me who used to play for leagues and clubs. They used to get very impressed by my commitment to bowling. What I am trying to say is that in Pakistan, people get influenced by fast bowlers, emulate them, and just end up bowling like them. It’s something that JUST HAPPENS although there are obviously other factors involved. You can say it might be natural talent, but there can’t be an intrinsic talent in people who are born in the left side of the border of Pakistan-India and an absence of that talent in people born on the right side of that border. I had started moving the ball in the air and I also mastered a lethal inswinging yorker (although at that time I did not know what reverse swing was, otherwise, I was so crazy about Waqar that I would have also tried learning that!). So this theory about “role models” is true to an extent and even extends to non Punjabis, like me.

Just like how Pakistan seems to have a talent with fast bowling, India has a similar talent with batting. It is strange that even in Pakistan, Karachi (which seems to be producing fewer and fewer international cricketers for some reason) has produced the best three batsmen- Miandad, Zaheer and Saeed Anwar (when looking at their consistency and the team’s dependence on them for the entirety of their careers, which is why I won’t include Inzamam who was an inconsistent batsman all the way through and who only became a reliable batsman in the final few years of his career, presuming his career has come to an end).

Mr Abbasi, I fear that the seeds for Pakistan’s descent in fast bowling have already been sown. In Wasim and Waqar Pakistan had two reliable bowlers who always gave their 100%. Shoaib Akhtar is approaching the end of his career and in my opinion does not even have half as many fans as Wasim or Waqar do, so he has much fewer people who will consider him a role model or who might emulate him. Asif on the other hand is still a youngster and although he has shown a lot of promise he needs to give many more match winning performances if he is to reach the pedestal of Wasim or Waqar. Of all the fast bowlers we have seen after the departure of Wasim and Waqar, only Mohammad Asif has impressed although his reputation has been tainted by the doping scandal and let us not forget that Pakistani cricketers have recently shown the habit of losing their shine and/or disappearing from the international scene after a string of good early performances, such as Rana Naved, Shabbir Ahmed or Mohammad Sami.

If your role-model theory behind Pakistani fast bowlers sucesss was true, then why West Indies can't crop up new genuine fast bowlers? They had plenty of role models right? Secondly, I really can't believe when you said the line between Indian and Pakistan has nothing to do with diet. Let me remind you, Pakistan was founded on religious grounds; and our diet is bombarded with meat and heavy protient; while the vegitarian diet (due to religion, tradition, culture, or whatever) doesn't have that. Kapish?

Kamran Sahib, your 'hypothesis' is spot on . However you are incorrect in labelling , what is essentially, a fact as a hypothetical scenario.

Cricket, particularly in Indo -Pak has sprouted talent based on emulation. Young and up-coming palyers emulate themseleves and their style of play on their heroes current or past. Which is precisely the reason why India produces better batsmen than Pakistan and Pakistan better bowlers than them.

You are also correct in your assumption that there is cross-border emulation rapidly developing, more so from an indian perspective than pakistan, which worries me. Mohd Azharuddin started this in early 1990 when his technique got found out on west indian & australian wickets. Who did he turn to?.....no one indian but to Zaheer Abbas whom Azhar had high opinion of purely because in Azhar's own admission his style matched close to Zaheer. The result was a modified bottom hand grip and the rest is history as sublime strokes after shots came from Azhar's bat [ Azhar's inning at Lords 1990 test refers where 121 were scored in 80 odd balls..sheer class and mastery ]

So I would ignore Asif's reference to desi dietary nuances and concentrate more on attitudes and mindsets, as rightly pointed by yourselves. At the end of the day we dont want our future fast bowling resources emulating the pedestrian indians because our own may not be able to inspire them...The chances of this happening, though, are remote and i would advise Kamran sahib to sit back and relax. For the time being the legacy is in good hands.

Kamran, you've made some valid points but have you ever heard of Umar Gul? What controversies has he been involved in and how many late night parties has he been caught at? He's potentially a good role model. Also, what about Rana Naved, he's out of favour now but he was the classic example of a work horse. You need to think of all our bowlers, not just the ones that suit you!

Role models is one thing but diet is important to get the power into the shoulders to be able to ball fast. I believe that if indian bowlers ate meat, which i know they are not allowed to, it will increase thier strength. Its all good doing weights but you need meat to increase your strength. Look at Munaf Patel probably the fastest of the indian bowlers at the moment, and i'm sure he eats plenty of it.

You have touched on a very important topic here. For me Imran is a legend not only for what he achieved in his own career but also because he passed the mantle onto Wasim and Waqar. If you compare the end of Imran's era with what Wasim and Waqar left it does not compare, and if you take it further when Akthar and Asif retire I think they we will be in a worse position. Someone at the PCB needs to devise a succession plan to link the new generation of bowlers with those who have recently retired. This role model theory has also worked with spinners as Abdul Qadir helped Mustuaq Ahmed out when he first came into the team.

It seems wishful thinking at best to hope that Shoaib would change his maverick attitude and approach to the game. This is the style which has made him so famous and such a star attraction of international cricket and one of the elite ranked players in the world. Take it or leave it , he is the most admired present Pak cricketer amongst Australian fans who are known for their high standards. The reception he got in the '00 ODI match V Australia Dowunder was most awesome as he was coming back to the fold of the team after getting a reprieve from ICC regarding the misplaced objection on his bowling action. Eccentricity in his soul and to hope now that he mellows down is equivalent to expecting him to turn into a medium fast bowler. What stands out in his comparison to the Two Ws is the fact that Shoaib is completely untainted with suspicions of match-fixing which in itself is a major accolade. Attitude and tantrums can be forgiven and forgotten but not when a cricketer is involved in selling out his country. In that regards, Shoaib's transgressions are at most, misdemeanors. And anyway whatever he does in his private life is his personal matter.

Kamran Sb truly you are 100% right. You see the stardom and the success which Imran, Wasim and Waqar got I think Shoaib and Asif are no where near it. But still they behaved in the most erratic and unprofessional manner. Hats off to the earlier legends who inspite of all the fame still gave their best to their country.

I guess it must be a mixture of various factors both physical attributes and the inspiration from role models. But in anycase Kamran let me assure that Shoaib has alreday inspired a lot of youngsters from all over the world to take up fast bowling. In my opinion he is the first of the modern super-quicks. To a generation that had not seen the likes of Jeff Thompson and Michael Holding, the sight of Shoiab running in and bowling at incredible pace was the single most exciting thing about Cricket during the late 1990s. His reputation has taken a beating over the years for various reasons but he probably did enough in the first two years of his career to leave atleast one generation in awe.

Kamran,your article has been spot on.The reason why pakistan has been able to churn out an assembly line of fast bowlers is bcoz of Imran Khan.He was the one who spotted Akram and Waqar in the bylanes of karachi and guided them till they were ready for International cricket.One good thing is that fast bowlers have God fathers in pakistani cricket and they make sure that the bowlers are properly guided till they are ready.This is a great concept actually.Talent tapping is done in every village and it is made sure that players are selected based on their talent.Budding kids in pak look upto wasim or waqar as their role models and everyone wants to bowl like them.So basically everybody wants to be a bowler and you have a big pool of fast men ready to be picked.Talking of diet it is just secondary,it may not influence much in your bowling.You don't have to be a express fast bowler to take wickets all the time.Imran khan and Mcgrath have been great examples.
I would also like to add another point,there was a mention by someone that Javagal Srinath touched only 80 mph (max) in his career.When srinath started his career,he was bowling with genuine pace.He clocked 155kmph in durban in 1992-93 during the tour of SA and used to bowl at a very good pace till 1999 before a serious shoulder injury robbed him of his pace. ofcourse he slowed down big time towards the end of his career.

Assalamoalikum!Punjab; the land of fertile people or punjabis; the people of fertile land. Yóu can read it either ways as you like. I was reading once that in the time of east india company, more than 70 percent army jwaans were from Punjab. Common there has to be something about punjab and punjabis, lassi, parathas, desi ghee, dhotee, bhangra, the built up. Diet defintely has a say, indians generally tend to run away from meet, mostly vegs, but Pakistanis love meat if they can afford it. Good height and build up definitely has a say in fast bowling with lots of other factors. Also I think that at least in Pakistan Imran, Akram, waqar, aqib and shoaib have set good standards for the kids to follow. You know once the crop is good, you mostly alwasy have good seeds to sow again. Peace

Its an interesting hypothesis, shared by both sides. By I look at it from a different angle. After discussing with my indian cricket friends, I have realized that Tape ball cricket is not as big in India as it is in Pakistan. Almost all young cricketers start from Tape ball cricket. In tape ball (which is not torn), the ball doesnt swing in the air, nor it moves off the pitch. A bowler can only survive if he has good pace. This form of cricket helps pakistani youngsters to develop good actions, and provides a good platform to develop good pace.
I think legacy of Imran Khan, Wasim and Waqar also helps provide them role models and inspiration.
As far as example of Shaoib is concerned (Asig being very young) I think he will only be remembered as a brat who could ball fast. Imran, Wasim and Waqar will be the role models for the next generation.

I find this whole topic really fascinating. Even though I am Indian, I really was and am a great FAN of Imran Khan. He was a classic exmple of a Man who had (has, at his present age as well) a great persone but being a TRUE sportsman, was totally dedicated to his passion. Also, I would like to eductae some of the misinformed, he started as a wild, fast medium bowler and then turned into a quick, dangerous fast bowler.Coming to the diet aspect and the regional aspect as far as PUNJAB (Pak or Ind) is all Hogwash. India's fastest bowler after Mohd Nissar has been Javagal Srinath, a pure vegetarian from the South.Ajit Agarkar is slightly built, not tall and easily bowls around 90 mph as does another Southie called Sree Santh. Venkatesh Prasad, Balaji or Ganesh were also not from the North of India. I really think a ROLE model is required. Kapil was our best Role model but was only a Fast medium bowler with a great Outswinger.Also, I think Indians are physically LAZY. It is much easier to bat for 3 hours than bowl 6-7 overs, running in.
If Munaf Patel or Sree Sant could become role models, but do they have the HEART?? I think the HEART is lacking in Shoaib and Asif as well, Pak is also looking for a Role Model at present.
Dear Cricket freaks across the border, I miss Inzy's lazy elegance, hope another Classy bat comes through for you guys!!!

It is hard to believe that we are putting M Asif in the same category as Imran, Wasim, or Waqar. As far as I am concerned he has played 9 tests and has had a few good spells. Also in the last few one dayers his lack of effectiveness at the end of the innings was also quite evident. My point is that lets not make him celebrity and infact we shouldn't be even paying any attention to his comments because he absolutely has no cedentials at the moment. One bad season and he might not be playing in the team at all. Pakistan really doesn't have a great future in fast bowling dept. Shoaib will retire in a couple of years, Sami has been playing for a long time without reaching his so called potential, Gul is good but he can't be the leader of the pack. The rest of the bowlers we play are just honest medium pacers good for one dayers.
We were lucky to get Waqar and Wasim after Imran Khan but if really want to keep up the tradition we need to nuture talent in Pakistan and take some calculated chances like Imran used to take. Unless we unearth new talent I really don't see a great future for Pakistani bowling.

Well i dont agree with Kamrans theory of having role models since offcourse we were lucky to have great role models but having a role model cant boost up ur speed and enhance ur physical capabilities.Its a well known fact that pakistanis are a lot better than indians physically the cricket teams themselves are an example.So i think thats the main reason of pakistan producing more pacy fast bowlers.

I think Pakistan had already developed a nursery of fast bowlers when Shoaib burst on the scene; his early successes must have cemented the interest of these precocious early teens tearaways. Mercifully, the "misdemeaners" of shoaib and Asif ( their actions were no more than these) have probably left lasting impressions on the young aspirants who saw stardom vanish overnight and the two stars suddenly became a couple of undesirable non-entities. In my opinion both Shoaib and Asif can still achieve cricketing heights for the young ones to emulate. Malik Saeed, Toronto Canada

Role model theory is absolutely right. You can see when in 1980s and 1990s Pakistan was having super fast bowlers in Wasim, Waqar, Imran and even Aquib javed won games, there was a Mushtaq Ahmed to emulate Qadir and then Kaneria to emulate the former two. Similarly, Pakistan got Inzamam and Saeed Anwar in early 1990s to follow Miandad, Salim Malik, Ijaz Ahmed etc.

But after that there hasnt been any noticeable Pakistani batsman except Mohammed Yousuf.

You can see Sachin, Dravid because India had Gavaskar, Vishwanath, Vengsarkar. Then Laxman developed from Hyderabad because Azharuddin was a great role model (except that he fell from his heights due to match fixing scandal). And long history of spinners from India just because we had role models. From Prasanna, Bedi, Chandra to Kumble and Harbhajan.

Srinath, Prasad, Agarkar all followed Kapil's steps but couldnt become like him. Then due to lot of TV, kids in India started watching Waqar, Wasim and all other bowlers in the world and hence so many medium pacers from India. The fact they dont have a true fast bowler to look upto and guide and mentor, they are just honest triers.

Viv Richards commented once, there wud be no Tendulkar without Gavaskar, no Richards without a Sobers and no Lara without a Richards.

Role models are a must because thats what a kid thinks of himself when he takes the ball/bat in his hand.

The difference between the two countries is tape ball.....

Imran , Wasim and Waqar can if inspire bowlers across boundaries then their legacies are also not bound by time. Any rookie fast bowler still can look at them as a role model and i believe thats still happening. Shoaib might not have set a shining example but truly the Wasims and Waqars had enough brilliance spread in their performances over decades that it would be hard to forget those long run ups and stumps uprooting.
safe to say that the legacy of Pakistan fast bowlers is in the right hands.
unless our board goes bonkers as it did with removing Waqar Younis. His work was visible with the rise of Umer Gul as a striker.
time to bring him back.

I don’t mean to digress and I certainly, don’t mean to stir up some mind-boggling debate but there is something that I don’t quite acquiesce with. The fact that India has produced better batsmen than us is contentious and questionable. What is undisputable though is that no Indian bowler has ever come close to emulating the performance of Imran or even the legendary pair of Waqar and Wasim for that matter. However, when it comes to Gavaskar, we had Miandad. For every Sachin we had an Inzi (and let’s not even go into the respective match-winning abilities of both players). And for those currently playing, Yousuf matches Dravid in style, grace and consistency in every sense of the word. Hence, all this hogwash regarding India having the better of Pakistan in producing quality batsmen is based on flimsy evidence and a fallacious perception driven incessantly by the Indian media. And just to give you an example of the Indian media’s reluctance to view things with an impartial perspective, you don’t have to look further than some of the blogs written on cricinfo by various Indian cricket analysts. (Rahul Bhattachariya being a notable exception) For statistics alone delineate that India has always been a mediocre team, especially when it is traveling abroad. As a natural ramification, the term ‘lions at home, lambs abroad’ has often been understandably associated with the Indian team. However, just to give you an analogy of what im trying to say, one needs to look at the performance of the so called Indian batting maestros in the recently concluded test match against England. To be humiliated against a second string England attack, only to be saved by the weather, and yet having the audacity of labeling the game as a victory of sorts accurately portrays the Indian media’s reputation of being biased and downright, laughable. Trust the Indian media to always distort facts in its favor. And for us being stupid enough, to buy it.
Now, don't take me wrong here. India has produced some fantastic batsmen. And I certainly, don't mean to belittle their accomplishments. But in retrospect, I don't think any of their batsmen have ever outshone ours by such an extent that one would say 'Historicall speaking, India has always had a batting advantage over Pakistan'.

Wow! You guys are doing your batsmen down. Zaheer, Javed Miandad, Majid, Asif Iqbal, Imran and literally a dozen other glorious stroke-makers have been daunting for other bowling sides. You've still got a mighty middle order. if you can produce a side with four good quick bowlers and a reliable pair of opening batsmen, Australia would be crushed.

i agree with ur comments. but Muhammad Asif is also right. you gave the example of Muhammad Sami. No doubt he is a very good and strong bowler. but when we talk about fast bowlers Punjab is "THE BEST".

Javed Bhai,
Firstly I agree with your views on Shoaib and Asif.
You have criticised my approach regarding Afridi a few times now but I never got a chance to respond to you. Our views on Afridi conflict owing to a rare difference in how we perceive “good performance”.
For me it does not matter much how powerfully a batsman can hit, as long as the ball clears the rope. I have always said Afridi has improved as a bowler. We have many better bowlers than Afridi and as far as his batting goes, his average is still a woeful 23 after being in the team for 11 years. Also I tend to make my remarks considering his entire career, not just on accounts of his improved bowling over the past 3 years or so. Afridi is the type of player who you think can win you a match when he goes out to bat, but when he returns to the pavilion, you know you were foolish to rely on him anyway. He creates this complex and mysterious psychological effect on the Pakistani fan and that is the reason why he is still in the team. If Mohammad Hafeez or Fawad Alam were to bat in his position (no 6) they would score more runs over time and also perform equally well if not better in the bowling department because they are good ODI bowlers. That is my problem with Afridi as he currently stands in international cricket- he isn’t entirely dispensable, but he isn’t an automatic selection as well.

As for Shoaib Akhtar my position is simple; matchwinning bowler who needs either to be dealt with by a strict taskmaster, or sacked for a year so that he gets to his senses. I have always stated that if he is fully fit he should definitely play.

As for Inzamam, yes you are correct in identifying that I have a grudge against him. My grudge developed even more following the World Cup defeat, because even though I knew Inzamam was a pathetic captain and I did not anticipate he would drop so low. As for his batting exploits, yes he has been a very good batsman and a saviour on many occasions, but more so towards the end of his career. His consistency was never world class and he is still an inconsistent player if you compare him with the batting greats worldwide (check his average against the two best bowling sides of the last decade, for instance). That is a fact which cannot be rebutted by any jingoistic statement. Although he was won many matches for Pakistan single-handedly, he has also cost Pakistan greatly many times owing to his lethargic fielding and running between the wickets.

Salman bhai, Shoaib's transgressions are more than mere "misdemeanors." If Wasim and Waquar cheated by match-fixing, Shoaib cheated by taking performance-enhancing and tarnishing the blackened name of Pakistan cricket even further.

Let's leave the drugs test out of it. I actually sympathize with players who might have taken drugs to aid and quicken recovery from lengthy injuries. Setting that aside, over the past six years, Shoaib's "misdemeanours" have led to him having only the bare threads of an international career, due to his quarrels, constant injuries, and lack of the proper, sportsmanlike application to rid himself of them (I recall him pulling out of one particular test against New Zealand, and then water-skiiing during the match). In short,the sole reason he has not played as many matches as he should have done, and possibly instilled his name amongst the great Pakistani bowlers, is because of a fundamental lack of professionalism and dedication to his country's cause. How can you look so lightly upon a man who once expressed a wish to have been born in Australia, where he thought he would have been a better bowler? Waquar and Wasim might have had their faults, but they were committed to Pakistan's cause - unlike Shoaib. That is why they are greats - unlike Shoaib.

You term Shoaib's cleanliness from match-fixing as a "major accolade", but what about the all the rest of the team who are clean as well? Most players around the world have this "major accolade"; it is to be expected of any sportsman, and not praised as an unusual characteristic.

You talk about Shoaib's maverick behaviour as being a vital cog in his cricket personality. However, Shoaib's maverick behaviour has not been of the kind conducive to sport - or even fast bowlers (for whom it is usually an asset). Shane Warne was also a maverick. But the reason he is a legend with the traces of a maverick, and Shoaib is a maverick with the traces of a legend is because Warne gave his all on the field every time. He was a tremendous competitor on it, and a bad-boy off it. Shoaib is such a bad-boy off it that he barely ever gets the chance to stand on it!

Warne is a tremendous competitor, who focussed all his maverick energy and talent into winning matches for Australia; the sad thing here is that Shoaib also has the ability to do that for Pakistan. During the winter home series against England in 2005, Shoaib translated all his maverick energy into complete dedication with both the ball AND bat in his hand. He was the most influential player in the team, and the hero of the nation. He lifted the team and the spirits of 160 million people. Why, oh why did he not see that his huge ego could be best satisfied by pleasing his whole country? What better attention is there for an attention-seeker than being the star of your country's favourite sport, and lighting up the entire cricketing world with your colour and charisma? In that series, Shoaib showed what he has baffingly refused to show throughout most of his career: just how great he can be, when he tries.

One hopes it is not too late. One hopes he still has something to offer Pakistan cricket. He certainly owes a great deal. Better late than never...

Reference to the diet of the Punjab

I think this is totally wrong assumption that only PUNJAB produces fast bowlers.

Actually other provinces are not deal with merit.
There are many good fast bowlers come in our first class cricket but never got chance in international cricket or less chance.

In past there was a fast bowler with the name Atiq-ur-Rehman. When Dennis Lillie saw him, he said, his speed is same as Jeoff thompson or may be more. (1983-84)
But he was never got fair chance in Pakistan cricket. Even board asked him to change his style which reduces his speed and board did not give him proper chances.
He was from Karachi, Korangi.

Can any bowler (from PUNJAB) bowl fast without taking drugs or ball tempering?

Waqar and Wasim had been arrested in West Indies while taking drugs. Recently, Asif and Shoaib was banned due to termendous amount of drugs.
Imran Khan admited that he done ball temparing several times.

Is drug the diet of PUNJAB?

What about Mohammad Sami?
He never took any drugs but he is second fastest bowler in Pakistan.
Umer Gul is faster than any bowler from PUNJAB except Shoaib Akhtar (along with drugs scandals).

Unfortunately PCB is short sghited they can see only folks around their head office in Lahore.

Gulab Khan
Peshawer

Shoaib and Asif are quality bowlers, their sheer class should inspire the upcoming bowlers. I would disagree with the responsibility part, that lies with the PCB.

We love to point fingers at shoaib but to me truth is he is following the Imran khan path. Playboy, love girls, parties and stuff. only differnce is media is far more aggresive toward celebrites than in Imran time.
He is a lot better than Wasim and Waqar ..... who fix the matches. Is there anything worst than betraying your country? Hell no.
Check out shoaib interviews ... how passionate he is about Cricket and bowling fast and destroying batting lines.

As far as I can remember, in my high school it has been a desire for every kid – Pakistani - in my class to ball fast. The run up, the flair, the long hair jockeying with mischief, the jump, touching the skies, the delivery, the stare. It is all about machismo. An average Pakistani kid is more macho in the sense compared to an Indian kid. I was born and raised in Dubai – where you have a mixed crowd of Pakistani and Indian Kids - and trust me when I say this, that an average Pakistani kid is more aggressive, dominating, or domineering male as compared to his Indian counterpart. Not to say all Indian kids are whims, but I have seen and experienced it, just a majority of them are less aggressive. They take the non-confrontational path. I am not being biased, some of my best friends are Indians, but a fact is a fact.
Batting like most people – Pakistani - who posted here was a second choice due to the fact you hated facing your Pakistani counterpart - guys jockeying with speed and menace. I remember a game where my school - St. Mary’s Catholic High School (a mixed school of Pakistanis and Indians) - bowled first (at DC cricket ground in Dubai which has become Wafi shopping complex!) and we were playing a purely Pakistani School (Pakistan Academy). All the fast bowlers in our school were Pakistani and the top order was for the most part Indian with a few slugger Pakistanis coming in the Middle order. We bowled and batted the Pakistani Academy out of the stadium. It was one of rare years when our school worked fine with each department excelling – batting and bowling.
Therefore conclusion we bowl with more flare and passion because it involves more machoism. While batting is an art form where Indians because of their analytical nature excel at.

Kamran i do agree with you to a great extent. However i think you missed a point by not mentioning the affect that tape ball has on our cricket. I am here in US and i do get to play witha lot of indian friends but they have never played with tapeball and instead they have that hard tennis ball which is really not great for bowling. Infact the first time i played with few Indians, looking at the tape ball, they were like "What is this" and then few of their bowlers got to bowl with the tape ball and one of the fellow said "now i know why Pakistan produces such good bowlers and sloggers"
All other points are agreed upon.

khansahab(A.A.Khan), Zaheer Abbas is from Sialkot, Punjab.

Being a good bowler and a great to a legend what lies is the mental strength backed by hard work - it has nothing to do whatsoever with water or bread. Stupid analogy and I will leave it there.
Now as far as pace is concerned so Asif doesn't even have it to begin with. He is Fast-Medium with great line and length. His smart brain makes him a great bowler in controlling the swing, reading batsman and keeping his line. I’m sure Asif knows that ….
I however disagree with the NOTION that Shoaib Akthar is NOT a role model. I, along with so many others believe he is one of the greatest - if not name a single bowler who can consistently bowl in upper 90s and have reached 100 twice. What’s amazing about him is the fact that every time he comes back from an injury he has not lost a single bit of his speed instead more thunder. Name another bowler who came back and still was the same? Waqar younis? You got you answer. New generation wants to be like Shoaib Akhtar …. fast & furious - the first step (mindset) towards fast bowling.
Being a playboy or other non-cricket related issues has nothing to do with anyone being a role model unless you are drug addict (Maradona) or serious felony allegation (Salim Malik). What Shoaib brings is FLARE to the game - just like Imran Khan had but in a different way. Just seeing Shoaib bowl make the match whole lot of fun and to mention not go out and mimic being a shoaib akhtar.
Shoiab Akhtar is an icon for future generation of fast bowlers.

Rao Iftikar reminds me of Clark from Australia. When everybody was acclaiming Rana, I recollect Rao bowling from the other end and applying pressure, jinxed as he was, catches being dropped and umpires stealing clear outs (this was when Pakistan toured Australia). Rana, on the other hand, was, as usual, leaking runs but taking wickets because of the pressure that Rao was applying. Wickets not because of good bowling but batsmen, in one-day games, taking risk at Rana's mediocrity. As long as a few wickets were in Rana's column, people knew who was making it happen. The point being that it is not only Akhtar and Asif that we have, but also Rao and Gul. It creates a good balance, when, after including Kaneria, we will have everything in pace, swing, seam, line and length, and legspin (if they ever get to play together).
The idea that Pakistani players have more role models in pace bowlers obviously plays a part. But lets not forget the ineluctibles, lets not relegate everything to cause and effect. Pakistan, simply, just produces good, fast bowlers.
Neither is Shoaib Akhtar excessively tall like Harmison, nor is Asif strong like Akhtar. Waqar wasn't that big either. Sami, also, is not that big. So, to say, the physique or the diet has a lot to do with it doesn't cut it. Our fast bowlers are not big in size like Flintoff or Harmison or Nel...we just still produce good bowlers. It's magic.

I dont see any Indian pacers physically built like the Pak ones (Imran, Wasim, Waqar, Shoaib)

Good one Kamran ! I agree with you. Its surely not about diet, it is about having role models. Very interseting comments from Javed Khan Saheb. Finally I think Mohammad Asif needs to take another 150 at least to get close to legends. He should also try to improve his maturity level cuz some of the stuff he said was bull shit.

well said, i guess people keep forgeting that there is a Punjab in India as well. People are big, tall and strongly built, but we don't have a express bowler coming out of there, just very good and strongly built batsmen (eg yuvraj). it all comes down to role models, I am an indian (from Punjab) and Shoaib Akhtar is my role model, i don't care what he is off the feild but i do know for a fact that noone wants to face him. someday i hope to bowl like him (thunderboltssssss)

I totally disagree with the statement of India not having better fast bowlers. Zaheer Khan, Irfan Pathan, Balaji, RP Singh are without any doubt better and faster bowlers than your Umer Gul, Anjum and Rana. India has better quality bowlers than Pakistan.

I CANT believe that most of these people putting the comments are agreeing with Asif's comments about Pakistan' or perhaps PUNJAB's ability to produce quality fast bowlers. I will tell you the truth, Mr. Asif. There is no special thing about Punjab, its just the population factor. Punjab has a very high population, they are perhaps more into their sport especially cricket than any other provinces. I will give you an example of where i am from. I am from NWFP, and I am a pathan. The theory is that most pathan's are strong people, and its a right theory to an extent. However, to say that due to the diet plan or the aggression that punjabi posses contribute to the history of fast bowler is bogus. I played almost all my cricket in Pakistan till I was 16 but then i moved to America and I was contantly clocked at 88-91 miles an hour. I didn't make it into the Pakistan team or any other team cricket there of. I guess I had to give it up because I took baseball, and now I am playing college baseball as a Pitcher. Playing college baseball is no joke in America. I guess my point is that I had many other friends that were as quick as I was and they tried for the under 17, under 19, and many other academies but they didn't make it. I am talking about two specific examples that didn't make it just because they were from NWFP. I remember that hot hot hot day in Lahore when I bowled almost 25 overs with my two other friends in front of General Tauqir Zia and I can assure you that we were the pick of the bunch and we didn't get selected. This is what I call Pakistan's politics and thats when i decided to screw Pakistan cricket and now I am a happier guy.

After the world cup debacle i had decided never to comment again but then again how long can one keep away from something one loves and especially fast bowling. Well i agree to kamran tht this so called diet difference that asif pointed to is not a solid enough reason.kamran's point about role models is important and is one of the reasons but another very crictical and big reason for pakistan producing fast bowlers is TAPE BALL CRICKET.Those of u who have played tape ball would know that the only kind of bowler tht can survive in tht game is fast bowlers.A tape ball does not turn so spin goes out of the window.So far as swing is concerned u dont get much unless u really tamper with the ball by tearing the tape apart, which obviously cannot be done.So very fast bowling is the only option and as aqib javed said somedays ago "fast bowling is a part of the psyche from a young age" and "If it isn't, then tape ball cricket ensures it eventually will be. From what i know India has alot of rubber ball cricket in which i think the ball bounes quite a bit even from medium pace.it might not encourage fast bowling as tape ball does.But as far as Pakistan is concerned i have no doubt that tape ball is one of the most important reasons why we produce fast bowlers so often.

Comming from a West-Indian background I must admit that role models are very influential. But there are so many variables. As a young man, we all tried to emulate the great fast bowlers, and I mean as early as 8 years old. Long run ups and delivering with all the strength we could muster. We all loved bowling the bouncer and enjoyed knocking batsmen over.
At that age we used a variety of balls, tape balls, tennis balls, hard rubber balls etc. and truth be told to achieve high speeds and out do our colleagues we pelted that ball at great speed.
So we grew up on a diet of fast bowling, putting our all into it. The strong and talented bowlers stood out and their bodies adapted to the strains of our early bowling exploits. (Apart from trinidad and Guyana would you get tall, strong lads focusing on spin bowling.) Eventually fast bowlers emerged, from all sizes and shapes.
One must have that extra something to be come a pure out and out fast bowler. But a dedication to the art of fast bowling, from early age definetly produce a class bowler.
Also encouragement and support from family, friends and not to leave out pitch conditions which encourages fast bowling.
Some are born with it some are not. Ambrose for example started playing cricket in his late teens (18-19yrs) and immediately had bounce, pace and control, and there was no turning back.

Let's accept your notion that its not diet/water or milk/yogurt but the role model theory, even then definitely theres something else that works well mostly for the fast bowlers from Punjab. which needs more research......
And last but not least to prove some common notion to be wrong one should have some solid arguments in favour of the proposed theory, which certainly we are missing for the time being.

Hassan,

I know Zaheer was born in Sialkot, but I think he learned his cricket in Karachi? I don't know to be honest but he certainly played for Karachi. Saeed Anwar is a definite example of a Punjabi Karachiite who learned his cricket in Karachi.

Fast bowlers are first and foremost a product of genetics. Cultural influences, diet and hardwork are secondary influences.

5 feet two inch hopefuls will never ever become true fast bowlers, no matter how motivated, inspired or hard they may try. They may eat steak morning, noon and night, pump themselves with as much testosterone and anabolics and it won't happen. You are either born with it or you are not. Just like most of us can never ever hope to emulate a 100m sprint in 10 seconds or under.

Indian Punjab probably has a few potentials, but as many have said already, fast bowling is probably not encouraged as is batting or spin bowling - Bedi, Harbhajan, etc. come to mind. Besides, and I say this with no malice or facetiousness, it would be a little awkward bowling fast with a turban or a patka on ones head. Tony Greig tried it for a few hours and felt exhausted with the extra weight. Maybe that is why it is discouraged? A question for the Punjabi sikhs maybe, although I cannot think of why Punjabi Hindus might not be able to deliver the goods, as they are unencumbered with any headgear. Another factor may be that dietary habits passed on from generation to generation for hundreds of years can and do change genetics. This could be a reason why there may be subtle differences between East and West Punjab. Meat eating muslims and largely vegetarian Hindus crossed an artificial line, changing irrevocably the genetic distribution of the land. Some may say it is far fetched; however I think it bears closer scrutiny. North to South and East to West, genetics across the world do change imperceptibly. In Pakistan the North Western parts are dominated by Central Asian genes while the South East by the typical Indian/sub-continental gene.

To those who write that Kashmiri and Pathans should also be ideally suited for fast bowling but that they have yet to produce one, I submit they are and given time they will. Both areas are still way behind Karachi and Lahore in cricket development and interest. Kashmir also has a very small population compared to the rest of Pakistan, so the chances of unearthing an express bowler is remote; however a lot of Kashmiris have settled in the Punjab for many years - the Butts, Sheikhs, Wynes etc. are all of Kashmiri origin. The Butts, in particular, have dominated in many other athletic endeavours like track and field, hockey and body building etc., for a long time.

Finally, as far as fast bowling genetics go, Carribs with African origins are the ones to beat. Some one on this blog has pointed out that the West Indies are not producing fast bowlers anymore. Although that is partially true, the simple answer is lack of interest and low population numbers. If the Carribean population was as large as India's or even ours, with half the interest, they would have at least two dozen ultra quick bowlers lined up, haunting batsmen the world over! Let's hope that does not happen.

Now if the US ever gets interested -----

Having played in Pakistan at domestic level,and being a keen student of history, following are my findings.
1) Other than Imran Khan (whos is of Persian origin, Genectically he aint a punjabi), Pakistan never produced a Fast bowler , till emergence of Mohsin Kamal and Wasim Akram.
2)Interesting fact is there was Tape Tennis ball cricket became famous in Pakistan around early 80s, and by early 90s it was become a professional sports. That cricket must have some contribution in producing Fast bowlers with Quick arm action. As in competitive tape tennis ball cricket, you are allowed to bowl with 6-8 yard run up, and one has to have a quick arm action to generate pace (Wasim Akram would be the best Example).
3) In 2004, there was King of Speed competition at all Pakistan level. Kalique Ahmed chohan won it , he is a tennis ball bowler, who never played Hard ball cricket, untill after winning the competition. (He was clocked 140km/h). Having coached him, i can tell you, his ability to generate pace was entirely because of bowling in professional tennis ball cricket matches with short run up. Most of the finalists in King of speed competition were tennis ball cricket professionals.

4)Diet & Genetics can be also be the factors, Karachi has produced only one genuine fast bowler in Muhammad Sami. (Majority of Karachi population consists of Immigrants from India after partition in 1947).
But on the other hand, in 90% of Pakistan's test matches, Wicket keepers from Karachi Kept wickets. Imtiaz Ahmed, Wasim Bari,Taslim Arif, Saleem Yousuf, Moin Khan and Rashid Latif.
So i guess, Karachi people are more Flexible than People from Punjab, whereas people from Punjab are stronger . Again it is combination of both genetics and diet.

It is true Pakistan has more to offer on the basis of role models in form of fast bowlers. However there are other situations which also contribute to this factor and diet is one of them. Another one to mention is Tape Ball Cricket whereby you achieve nothing with spin. Indians are generally known to be good players of spin (especially off-spin) this is due to children, pre-teens etc all bowling spin to batsman in cramped spaces i.e. between streets. How you play your game is dependant on how you grew up (values, traditions etc.) This is again reflected to Australians and their strength against the short ball, primarily due to the fast and bouncy tracks of Australia contrary to a few sub-continent players where pitches are regarded to be “slow and low”.

In England when I played cricket at school, college and in university there was a desire by all bowlers to bowl fast or at least fat-medium in nets. I must say I was the odd one out bowling leg-spinners but that was my unique ability. Again, I also was guilty of trying to be a fast bowler until one day I discovered I could really turn the ball and thereby generating interest in spin. Again this reflects to International Cricket whereby England has consistently produced great fast bowlers but has lacked in the spin department for at least 3 decades. Now with Panesar spin is being regarded important in England and many youngsters try to emulate their heroes.

On a further note i must add Asif is an excellent bowler with great potential however, he should really be concerned with the state of Pakistan Cricket and improving it rather than comparisons.

Yes, I agree with your comments about role model. If you analyze Pakistani cricket, you will see that after the great Hanif sir who is essentially a medium pacer there was hardly any boweler worth mentioning and some great batsmen of their times like Majid khan, Asif Iqbal etc. started their carrers as opening bowelers before concentrating on batting. Imran too started the same. He wanted to be a batsmen and discovered he could bowl well and to his great credit transformed himself from essentially a medium pacer to a great fast boweler and he with his exploits and lifestyle inspired a generation of fast bowlers and it is his legacy that Pakistan is still enjoying now. But, before I end I would like to add a note of caution. Do not take for granted this will last foreever. See, when West Indies were the most dominant cricketing nation in the 70s and 80s, they produced a battery of high quality fast bowlers and also the fasted bowelers of their times. People like Holding, Marshall, Patterson, Bishop. They were the fastest bowlers of their times. Then there was a theory going around that negroes being a phsyically superior race, this factory will continue to produce high quality fast men forever and they were complacent and did not get the infrastructure required to produce the next generation fast bowlers. See where they are now? Already, I think Pakistan lost a great opportunity to dominate world cricket because of their infighting and selfishness of players and lunacy of administrators. If you look at the quality of players they had Wasim, Waqar, Mustaq, Saqlain, Inzy, Salim Malik etc. they should have dominated the world cricket instead of Australia, but sadly they blew it. So, do not think that these paceman will continue to come because of their diet blah blah... By the way what I think that Pakistani team lacked was a captain of Imran's caliber and that goes for the theory captain is as good as his team. Signing off.

Well said Mr. Abbassi!. I must congratulate you on this article as it is far removed from bombastic assertions, from even educated Pakistani commentators about diet being the reason Pakistan produces more fast bowlers. If that be the reason than let me make it very clear that Asians and that includes Pakistanis and Indians can never have the same build as caucasians. This is something which is a genetic trait. Both Indians and Pakistanis are from the same genetic stock and their muscle development , height, weight are greatly similiar. Pakistan for a long time had good fast bowlers greater than those of England and Australia and who can dispute that people from both Australia and England are Physically more robust just look at their teams and the average height alone would be more than six feet.The reason was good role models , everyone wanted to be an Imran or Wasim.

Also regarding diet , anyone boasting about the diet of Pakistan's Punjab should come over to the Indian side and see that in almost all the lush green fields of Punjab you will find corn and milk fed young Jats and Sikhs some as tall as 6 feet 6 Inches. Cricket is not very popular there and hence probably no one wants to bowl fast.Bhupinder singh Sr had once lamented that such a strong breed would be an ideal hunting ground for fast bowlers but his plea is not heard by the money mongering BCCI. Also if the Pakistanis boast so much about Physique why are they not good in wrestling where India is far ahead of them or take other sports where India still finishes among the top ten nations in Asia and Pakistan is nowhere to be seen. Has anyone seen Dileep singh Rana known as the 'Great Khalli' from Himachal Pradesh currently wrestling in WWE . He stands 7 feet 3 inches tall and weighs 200 Kilos of muscle , he also comes from India so I guess time has come to put a lid on these puerile assumptions on physical superiority . Anyaway for the record Asif is certainly a great in the making but remember he is not a typical pakistani tearaway. For that matter Sreesanth bowls much quicker than Asif and even touched 92 MPH in the recent lords test, so please I would urge everyone to stop jingoism and be practical in their approach.

Punjab is not the only place in Pakistan where people are tall and physically strong, people in the tribal areas are very strong, people in the interior Sind are generally the tallest out of the whole pakistan but unfortunately due to cultural
inclinations,backwardness and lack of facilities
people from these areas do not rise up to their potential,if the game is promoted in these remote areas especially in the tribal areas I'm sure we can get fast bowlers in future from these areas.
I think the local governments of these areas are responsible for the deplorable condition of sports infrastructure in these areas recently we all saw the condition of Niaz stadium in hyderabad it was pathetic.
People like Gulab Khan on this blog if they spend
more time in criticizing their local governments it would be more fruitful for them.
I think most of us have been a little too harsh on
Asif he is good bowler and will go a long way those who do not see his potential I am sorry to say know nothing about fast bowling.
The most hilarious post came from Mr Naeem I couldn't help but laugh he bowled 25 overs on a hot hot day in a camp (in front of PCB chairman) alongwith three of his friends and he clocked 88-91 miles through out, there were other guys too and Mr naeem and company were the Pick of the bunch,what Naeem forgot to mention is that "finally he woke Up".

You seem to have touched a very sensitive issue, Kamran but it is a lot fun reading the comments.Frankly I think Wasim and Waqar were the last GREAT fast bowlers Pakistan produced. Shoaib has a questionable action and Asif is just medium pace, though he is a great Swing bowler.WW had clean actions and were genuinely quick and match winners.It was fascinating watching Wasim bowling to Sachin in the Chennai Test, both in their prime then.Whew!Coming to the point of Pak producing fast bowlers more frequently, one is Pakistanis are aggressive by nature and you need to be aggressive to bowl fast, secondly we have not had a ROLE model.Another reason is the system in India. I remember when Munaf Patel started out, he was consistently and easily bowling 145+ kmph. The same goes for Zaheer and Agarkar, but now they are all struggling to touch 140 kmph??? See, it is not only Fast bowlers which have dried up in India (Sree Sant being an exception) but where are the spinners? After Kumble, WHO? India has always produced and worshipped their Batters, right from Ranjitsinhji, C.K.Nayudu, Pataudi, Gavasker, Tendulkar, Dravid and now, Sehwag though he has been dropped recently. Who speaks about bowlers except Kapil because he became the World's highest wicket taker at one time. Does anyone know or care that Anil Kumble has 556 wickets as of now. But where are the sponsore,where is the hero worship. So, if there is no Hero Worship, where is the catalyst to become a Bowler, Pace or Spin.Sad but TRUE.

Punjab and Fast Bowlers!!! It is actually true that Punjab has produced most of Pakistan fast bowlers. The reality is that Pakistan is over 60% of Pakistani population so there are bound to be more or everything from Punjab.

Mr. Naeem Pathan I think you got carried over with what you've said! So you're basically saying that even though there's better talent in the rest of the Pakistan except Punjab but they never get picked up. Let me remind you Afridi, Younis Khan and Umar Gul are three Pathans who're currently playing in the Pakistan cricket team. Do you expect all 11 players who to from NWFP? If you were as good as Gul then I'm sure you must have been picked up. Its about time you realised that.
Javed A. Another ridiculously long posting from you. IMO you should write English literature becuase you always *try* to use plenty of vocabulary in your posts but they never make sense or are never to the point. You just love to disagree with Kamran one way or the other!
I totally agree the matter of the fact Pakistan is producing so many good fast bowlers is because of the *role-models*, which is the same with India but their role-models are batsmen like Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Ganguly etc..

What about "Mohammed Sami"... He is a genuine fast bowler... isn't he, where does he come from???

Shoib Akhtar is THE MAN WITH A DEFINITE PUNCH !!! He's the best ! Budding fast bowlers in India must emulate Shoib from the current lot and Wasim from the previous generation of great fast bowlers. As far as Imran is concerned, I think he's a great leader and thinker of the game but his bowling skills are a shade below Shoib and Wasim. Indian fast bowlers are often effective but somehow they don't give the feeling of being a genuine fast bowler.
But as far as batting is concerned there's absolutely no match for Sachin. Inzamam and Yousuf with all their elegance and flair are definitely far behind Sachin.

the role model theory really doesn't work fit here.. you can really make anyone your model when you re playing cricket, it really doesn't matter which country the person is from.. secondly, if there wasnt anyone fore sarfraz nawaz and imran then how come they decided to become bowlers.. doesn't make sense...

I've lived in india for awhile.. i agree that Indians tend to focus more on batting but that cant be it.. diet probabally has to play a big role.. indians tend to have more of the vegetarian diet, we consider chicken to be vegeterian.. and also teh style of cricket perhaps alos plays a part.. we play with the tape ball in the streets.. havent heard of indians doing that.. stuff like this.. Role models cant be teh reason

Interesting piece of information. However, as far as being a role model's concern, weren't Wasim & Waqar both caught up with some canabis incident back in the early-mid 90s during the West Indies tour? Seems like people like to have selected amnesia..lol!

Shoaib Akhtar & Muhmammed Asif will be still be role models no matter what. Hell, I guess it doesn't matter these days just as long as the new crop of generation extract their skills!

Once again it is very interesting to read how some of the bloggers blab & boast about the fertile land of Punjab. If diet is the criteria, then there are many countries whose dietary plans are much better than Pakistanis or more precisely than Punjabis. If a strong built is the other criteria i.e., from genetics point of view, then the "average" white Caucasian race and the black African race has better, bigger and stronger built than the Punjabis. One can see the descendants of Alexander the Great's Caucasian race in the NWFP and in tribal areas of Pakistan and they are bigger and stronger than the Punjabis. And from genetics point of view Imran Khan is not a Punjo but, a Pathan whose family settled in Lahore. Umar Gul is a Pathan and he is a faster bowler than Asif and he has also taken more wickets than Asif. There is Zakir Khan too from the NWFP, now a PCB official, he wasn't very successful as a player, but he is tall, strong and a genuine fast bowler but, he lacked in variety and failed. I pity those puns who love to build only muscles and have fewer brain cells yet they talk with so much authority and confidence, it only shows their ignorance and highlight their pain do ism. And, Arif you are one of them like Pra Muhammad Asaf the blogger says: others can do nothing but get "gelus." And "I am agree" with him.

I have agreed with the views of Mr. Abbassi in my previous post and concurred by adding that its also owing to the inspiration and motivation and 'coz of idolizing and emulating their heroes. I have also agreed with him that fast bowling is a cultural thing but, I cannot agree with him or with others on everything for which I have a different opinion. IMO, one of the reasons the Indians did not produce too many fast bowlers is not because of diet or built, but 'coz of the conditions of the dead and docile pitches and it was extremely hard and not so productive for a fast bowler to be able to succeed, hence tall and well built players like, Ravi Shastri wouldn't have opted for spin bowling. Its only very recently that we see the emphasis is so much on pitches i.e., to standardize them or make them at par with Australia, SA and WI and to prepare them by curators from different countries. And that is why we see there is a Paradigm Shift in the Indian bowling department and the emergence of their new fast bowlers. More than the tape ball theory that is being talked about here, its also due to the cemented pitches in Pakistan that encouraged fast bowling. So, once again its the playing conditions that matters in choosing options i.e., to bowl or bat and to bowl fast or to go for spin.

Therefore, the notion of diet, genes or the water of Punjab is the reason Pakistan or Punjab has produced more fast bowlers than India is nothing but crap-trap. Here, people are constantly ignoring one of the greatest all rounders of cricket i.e., Kapil Dev and, I want to ask how many Pakistani bowlers have taken 434 wickets and scored more than 5000 runs in test cricket? There are very few people in the world who have ac