Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar feels that after a century in both innings Rohit Sharma’s Test career will thrive, following his debut as a match opener. On the other hand, he said that Mohammed Shami who is a pacer can become the king of reverse swing. Akhtar lamented that no Pakistani pacer has sought his advice while Indians like Shami had been keeping in touch with him regarding fast bowling.
Akhtar said that he had advised Shami, who played a leading role in India’s big victory over South Africa in the first Test, to try to become a tearaway pacer while also using the reverse swing as a lethal arsenal.
“After the disappointment of India’s (50 over) World Cup, Shami called me up one day and said he was feeling sad that he could not do well for India. I told him not to lose heart but maintain fitness. The home series is coming and you will do well I said.”
“I told Shami that I want him to become a tearaway pacer, running through batting line-ups. He has seam and swing, besides that he has a reverse swing which very few bowlers in the subcontinent have. I told him you can become king of reverse swing,” said Akhtar.
“Now, you see what he has done, he has got wickets from a docile pitch (in Visakhapatnam). I am very happy for him,” said Shoaib Akhtar who is 44-years-old and took 178 wickets between 1997 and 2007 in 46 Test matches.
He said he is ready to advise the Pakistani pacers but nobody asked for his help.
“Sadly, our Pakistani fast bowlers don’t ask me how they can improve their bowling but the Indian bowlers like Shami are doing that. It is a sad scenario as far as my country is concerned.”
He also said that Virat Kohli is a “bowlers captain”.
