Zaheer Khan still plays a crucial role, claims Wasim Akram

Zaheer Khan

As more people from the cricket industry come forward and express their concern on the future of Zaheer Khan in the Indian squad, there are those who like to think otherwise. Among them are Wasim Akram, the legendary Pakistani pacer, and Eric Simons, the former Indian bowling coach.

“It is very rare that you make a comeback having played 90 Tests. So it is just not your bowling but also your reputation at stake,” Akram told ESPNcricinfo. “But in the time left before he finally retires, Zaheer has the opportunity to contribute a lot still. Like Imran (Khan) did with myself and Waqar (Younis), Zak can stand at mid-on and mid-off and teach other bowlers skills like reverse swing, have a word with the young fast bowlers when things are not going well.”

After a long break due to injury, Zaheer returned to the Indian side in the tour of South Africa and has since claimed 16 wickets in four matches. He also got a five-wicket haul in the second innings of the second Test at Wellington against New Zealand, recently. Although the figures might not seem like the worst, it was the lack of consistency in the Indian bowling attack, led by Zaheer, that allowed the overseas batsmen to score big.

Recollecting the teaching of Imran Khan in the early part of his career, Akram said that shortening the run-up, how and when to use reverse swing, angles and yorkers were some of the things taught by Imran. “Talking, explaining fast bowling is an art. Just because one is a fast bowler does not always mean he can teach easily to others. So the more Zaheer talks to the others, he will learn and teach more. I used to just ask Imran ‘kya karoon, kya karoon (what should I do)‘ for the first three years. And that is how I learned.”

Akram referenced the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington where Ishant Sharma, who seemed to be in tremendous form, failed to hit the wood works as a result of which Brendon McCullum raced his way to a triple century, which snatched the match right out of India’s palms.

Akram said, “Dhoni cannot speak from behind the wickets. Ishant no doubt bowled well during the series, but no wicket for 160-odd runs it means he had some psychological issues. So it is for Zak to take the initiative to figure out what Ishant’s plan was and talk to him accordingly. If the pitch is flat, wickets are not coming, then how does one stop the runs are things that have to be spoken about. Other than taking wickets Zaheer’s responsibility should help make one or two good fast bowlers before he exits cricket.”

Eric Simons, the former Indian bowling coach, said that Zaheer is a very intelligent bowler and pace wasn’t never really his strength. “Zaheer is not a very physical bowler,” Simons said. “Zaheer is lot more tactical in his approach, lot more skillful in the sense he has relied more on the swinging the ball and using the variations to be successful. And he will just end up relying more and more on those skills as time goes along.”

“The important thing in any bowling attack is the balance so you can’t have three or four guys just bowling at 120-125 kph and try and swing the ball around. If he (Zaheer) is used more to complement the other chaps, who are bowling quicker then he becomes more effective. That will naturally become his role in future. Even Richard Hadlee became very effective in such a role,” Simon said. He also said that the India had a medium-paced attack and should play to strengths in the upcoming England tour.

Simons said, “The one thing about Zak is he is a person thrives on lots of bowling. I remember when he came to South Africa he had not bowled as much as he had perhaps in the past. I certainly sensed he was slow to get his rhythm. He needs to be used in a manner that allows him to be the skillful bowler that he is; may be not as the strike bowler. May be he bowls a few overs upfront with the new ball while it is swinging because he is one of the best exponents of that art and then later on in the game where he can bring to the fore the different variations he has.”

Considering Zaheer’s age as a factor, Simons added, “You can’t play him too far in the future. You have to be realistic.” Zaheer is now 35, and, according to Simon, he cannot escape such critical assessment.

TA Sekhar, former Indian fast bowler and selector, feels Zaheer, who has vast experience and splendid record for India in Tests, will have a crucial role to play in helping the inexperienced bowlers in their overseas ventures.

“I would rather play Zaheer abroad even if he has become slower,” Sekhar said. “He is one guy when to bowl fast and when to bowl within himself. 124kph you read and wonder what is he doing. But that is not his real speed. Perhaps he is trying to conserve his energy. He is also using a lot of change of pace now. So he deserves to there especially now when the bowling group is developing.”