Pakistan; the nation that has produced some of the greatest cricket players the World has seen. The one thing that has set Pakistan cricket apart from rest of the World has been the bowling; especially the pace department.
Starting from Khan Mohammad and the first real King of pace bowling that hailed from Pakistan in Fazal Mahmood; Pakistan has continued to produce World class fast bowlers. Fazal, in Pakistan's second Test match since getting Test status made his mark and showed the World a glimpse of what was too come for years from a bowler that had a star crest on his chest running in from 30 yards. His figures of 12 for 92 propelled Pakistan to beat India by a innings and 43 runs. My father, who turns 66 this week only has one cricketing regret & that was that he never saw Fazal play; though he did see his heir.
Safraz Nawaz, was that heir to Fazal Mahmood. Safraz was an out and out pace bowler. The pioneer of the reverse swing, Safraz had a illustrious career, he continued where Fazal had left; spearheading the Pakistan attack. In a 15 year career he formed one of the best opening bowling partnerships seen, with Imran Khan.
Where do you start when talking of Imran Khan? Imran was the player that was feared and respected the World over. Imran made sure the World took notice, no longer could the eyes of the World ignore Pakistan. As a bowler, Imran was a near genius. The smooth run up was followed by a Tigerish leap and a pure action; Imran was what everyone wished to be. Imran was quick with a in-swinger that was near unplayable.
Imran introduced a left armer in 1984, his name was Wasim Akram. Wasim is regarded by most as the best left handed Fast bowler in history. Wasim had magic in his left arm. He literally made the ball talk at will. The out-swinger, the in-swinger, yorker, bouncer he had it all both from over or around the wicket. Wasim was the dream bowler for any captain to have, a man that can win a game from the jaws of defeat, and who turned out to be one half of the greatest opening bowling partnership I have ever seen.
Waqar Younis was the other one in this dream act. Waqar was express pace. Quicker than Wasim, and the man that possessed a yorker that only Joel Garner could ever get near. Waqar tore many batsman apart, quite literally. Waqar was a prime example of why fast bowlers can be made but are a natural breed. You just can't coach natural pace, skill and aggression into a person.
Next came a Fast bowler that actually made Fast bowling look easy. A laboured run-up and action, Mohammad Zahid was QUICK. His career was short lived to only 5 Tests as a result of injuries. If Zahid played for a longer term he had the raw potential to become one of the best. Zahid's loss was Shoaib Akhtar's gain.
Shoaib was a ferocious bowler. Pakistan's second quickest bowler in history, Shoaib made a name for himself in both blowing stumps apart and being involved in controversy. His introduction to the World stage was like what many dream of doing. Bowling out Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar in consecutive balls in Calcutta was nothing short of remarkable. Before retiring in 2011 Shoaib become the first bowler to break the 100mph barrier.
Mohammad Asif was the next, a slow medium pacer compared to the others above, Asif was a genius with the ball at hand and a complete mug when not. Pakistani's in general have a obsession with bowlers that can bowl 90mph plus consistently, Asif was the rarity in this. Guile and control to fall in love with, he was the only other bowler, apart from Wasim, that made the ball talk his language. His career was short lived as a result of fixing, along with 'The new Wasim Akram', Mohammad Amir.
Amir, introduced in the 2009 T20 World Cup. An instant impact and the helped Pakistan win the tournament. Amir became the youngest bowler to reach 50 wickets in the same game that he was caught spot-fixing along with Mohammad Asif. Since that ill fated day in 2010; Pakistan Fast bowling has suffered. Umar Gul has seen himself promoted from being Pakistan's third choice seamer to being the spearhead. Gul has bowled his heart out but that promotion was always going to be tough. Not having a regular opening partner has not helped. Wahab Riaz is inconsistent; three good balls and then three rank bad ones has been his virtue. Junaid Khan has been the first choice partner for Gul. His injuries have not helped and his been out for sometime now. Aizaz Cheema has bowled really well but at the age of 32 his debut has come too late. Bowling at a good pace, Cheema has been fantastic. Gives 100% every time and bowls his heart out.
Pakistan awaits there next heir to the legacy that Fazal Mahmood started sixty years ago. That man was supposed to be Mohammad Amir, but that never materialised; but I'm a firm believer that you can't take a persons virtue away from them; Fast bowling is Pakistan's virtue and a superstar is around to take his throne.
GeoSuper