Miandad has spent hours helping the batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin while Akram has been training the likes of Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Asad Ali and Wahab Riaz.

Pakistan’s former captains Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram are hopeful that the national team can win the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy in England.

The PCB has asked Miandad to assist the batsmen in the national training camp underway in Abbotabad while Akram is also there to work with the pace bowlers.

Both the greats have spent hours working with the players since reaching Abbotabad two days back.

According to details, Miandad, in particular, has spent hours helping the batsmen Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Umar Amin while Akram has been training the likes of Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan, Ehsan Adil, Asad Ali and Wahab Riaz.

Even as the two greats worked with the players, head coach, Dav Whatmore and bowling coach, Mohammad Akram preferred to take a back seat and let them work independently.

“I always say before a major tournament that given the talent we have Pakistan is always among the favourites to win the title,” Akram told reporters in Abbotabad.

“Like Brazil in football we are blessed with a lot of natural talent. I believe that Pakistan has always had this ability of beating any team on its day. I am also confident about our team’s chances in this Champions Trophy,” he said.

Akram said that if the batsmen were able to post enough runs on the board, the bowling attack was capable of bundling out any side in the tournament.

“It will be a tough tournament but I am backing Pakistan because at this time of the year and over the years the pitches at most venues in England have flattened and our batsmen can score a lot of runs. If they do that our bowlers have the ability to win matches,” he said.

He pointed out that despite the absence of experienced pacer, Umar Gul the team was blessed with enough pace and spin talent and could upset any batting line-up. Miandad advised the batsmen to go to England without any pressure.

“I have told them go and play in the Champions Trophy like they would in any other event. If you take the pressure of a big tournament and keep thinking, it does affect your performances,” Miandad said.

He said the Champions Trophy would be a close event because all the participating teams were playing well.

“Pakistan, India, England, South Africa and the West Indies are all balanced outfits and it will boil down to how a team plays on a particular day. There is little to separate the teams which have their own set of strengths and weaknesses,” he said.

Courtesy: NDTV Sports

All these years after he retired, we’re still seeing his legacy play out in Pakistan cricket.

If you’re a pace bowler aspiring to make it big, it’s hard to imagine a more incredible treat than being able to bowl under the watchful eye of Wasim Akram.

You mark out your run-up, get a grip on the seam, and launch into your delivery stride, while Akram stands a few paces behind and assesses your potential. After you’ve delivered the ball, he walks over and points out the areas where you could improve. Then he asks you to have another go, and the process gets repeated a few times.

For ten absorbing days last month, this is precisely what Akram did with a select group of Pakistan’s promising youngsters. The disciples included those already in the national side as well as those knocking on its doors, plus four raw seamers picked from a countrywide talent hunt. The camp convened every morning from 9am to 1pm under Karachi’s blazing April sun.

Akram is almost 47 and has diabetes but you couldn’t really tell. He looks as fit as a panther and spent all those hours out there concentrating and critiquing, without showing any signs of hardship.

Occasionally he felt the need to turn his arm over. As far as he was concerned, this was simply a practical demonstration of his art, but the effect on everybody else was breathtaking. He only bowled off a couple of paces, but the ball still nipped and zipped. Once or twice he merely rolled his arm over from a dead stop. The ball still shot through and swung around. It was the equivalent of Picasso casually slapping paint on a canvas, or Mozart tapping on some piano keys in boredom.

Akram’s talent and career were a gift to Pakistan, and as the years go by it is proving to be the kind of gift that keeps on giving. An intensive hands-on tutorial such as a training camp is but one example of his magic rubbing off. A much greater ripple effect is the flowering of left-arm seamers in Pakistan, which has witnessed a remarkable bloom in recent years.

Approximately 10% of Pakistan’s general population is supposed to be left-handed, but since Akram’s retirement in 2003 there have been far more left-arm seamers at the international level than this figure would predict. Sohail Tanvir, Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Amir, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, and Rahat Ali – it has been a virtual explosion. There have also been few lesser-known names, including Mohammad Khalil, Samiullah Niazi, Kamran Hussain and Najaf Shah, who each played only a handful of games. If you examine Pakistan’s entire 61-year Test cricket history, there have been 20 players (discounting Gul Mohammed and Ijaz Ahmed) bowling left-arm medium pace or faster ; astoundingly, half of them have appeared in the wake of Akram’s career.

Comparison with other teams brings this phenomenon into even sharper focus. Left-arm seamers entering international cricket in the post-Akram era comprise 30% of Pakistan’s pace-bowling crop, but in the other nine Test-playing teams their collective proportion is only 12%. This two-and-a-half-fold blip demonstrates the extent to which his younger compatriots have been bewitched by Akram’s inspiring spell.

If you examine Pakistan’s entire 61-year Test cricket history, there have been 20 players bowling left-arm medium pace or faster; astoundingly, half of them have appeared in the wake of Akram’s career

Akram’s involvement with the Karachi camp was not limited to technical analysis. He also spent a good deal of face time with the boys, sharing meals and drinks, and telling stories.

One of his themes was the importance of physical training through running laps around the ground, which is imperative for building stamina and reserve. During Akram’s early days in the Pakistan side, the pace-setter for the fast-bowling contingent’s training routine was none other than Imran Khan, and it was unthinkable that the lads would stop running before Imran did. Imran taught them the value of toil and labour, and Akram tried to faithfully pass this lesson on to the attendees of his camp.

He also spoke to the boys about personal grooming, comportment, articulation, and looking the part. Speaking with ease and confidence, looking slim, and sporting trendy shirts and designer shades (not to mention once hobnobbing with a former Miss Universe), Akram is certainly a credible preacher of such advice. To drive the message home, he even had one of Karachi’s leading fashion stylists – a chic beautician who goes by the solitary name Nabila – give pointers to the boys on culture and couture.

It may be early to say how much of Akram’s instruction and wisdom the youngsters managed to absorb, but you can’t deny the value of the exercise. The tradition of learning at the feet of grandmasters is timeless, and it has stood the test of time precisely because it has proved so effective. The Pakistan board deserves a great deal of credit for making it happen, and for assigning resources as a priority. Pakistan’s full-time bowling coach Mohammad Akram was present throughout the duration of the camp, and head coach Dav Whatmore also came in for a couple of days. Chief selector Iqbal Qasim was also present at intervals.

Now if we could only get something similar set up on the batting front. Word is that Javed Miandad and Inzamam-ul-Haq are both available and willing. PCB, what are you waiting for?

Written by: Saad Shafqat
Courtesy: ESPN CRICINFO

ABBOTTABAD: Legendary fast bowler Wasim Akram has declared that the Pakistan team is favourite for the forthcoming ICC Cricket Champions Trophy due to its superior pace attack.

The high-profile ICC event is scheduled to be held in England from June 6.

Talking to reporters at the Abbottabad Cricket Stadium during the national camp here on Saturday, Wasim said Pakistan’s main weapon in the upcoming event would be their powerful pace attack comprising young and experienced fast bowlers who would give the squad an edge over other competing teams.

The total number of camp trainees here reached 20 on Saturday which included 15 members of Pakistan squad plus five fast bowlers who remain under Wasim’s supervision after being selected through the ‘King of Speed’ programme.

The camp which commenced on May 2 will conclude on May 8 and the team will soon afterwards leave for the UK via Karachi where it will play two ODI matches each against Scotland and Ireland. Pakistan will also play a warm-up match against the West Indies on May 30 before launching the Champions Trophy campaign.

Hailing the PCB decision for holding the camp in Abbottabad, which is around 4,120 feet above sea level, Wasim said that the conditions here would benefit the players due to its similarity with the weather conditions in England.

“The stadium’s wicket is very helpful for the seamers and the weather conditions are more than perfect here,” Wasim remarked.

The Abbottabad stadium is surrounded by lush green hills and the heavy, seaming conditions are ideal for pacers to swing the ball besides helping them to build on their stamina for longer spells of bowling at this high altitude.

Pakistan’s former captain sounded quite satisfied with the performance of Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan, Umar Amin and others. He also specially mentioned the hardwork put in by newest pace sensation Ahmed Jamal who topped the ‘King of Speed’ trials in Karachi last month by bowling at 143kph.

Wasim predicted that Ahmed would soon will be part of national team but currently needs more first class and domestic cricket experience in order to gain more control on his line and length.

Meanwhile, young middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq, while speaking to Dawn, said in the absence of senior batsman Younis Khan, he would be facing a lot of pressure to consolidate and carry the innings during the Champions Trophy matches.

“We are going to prepare ourselves to win our first fixture in Scotland and also to maintain the tempo in the warm-up matches before entering the Champions Trophy battle,” he said.

Pakistan cricketers are undergoing hectic physical exercises and nets training for almost four to five hours daily under head coach Dav Whatmore, fielding coach Julien Fountain, former captain Javed Miandad, bowling coach Mohammad Akram and assistant coach Shahid Aslam.

Miandad, while lauding the PCB decision to set up camp here, said the grassy ground at the stadium encouraged the fielders to dive and take difficult catches which could prove effective in the upcoming ICC event.

Shaukat Gul Khan Jadoon, the administrator of the ground and also the head of a leading Cricket Academy here, is providing back-up players and ground staff to the camp.

Giving his opinion, Jadoon said in past too, the camps set up in Abbottabad helped the team in producing outstanding results in international events.

The national team players are residing in the Pakistan Army School of Physical Fitness, Kakul, equipped with a highly sophisticated gym and trainers.

Extraordinary security arrangements have been made for the camp and several policemen are guarding the area throughout.

Courtesy: DAWN.COM

Wasim Akram at the Fast Bowlers Camp with PCB and Ufone at the National Stadium, Karachi, he has taken the responsibility to train the bowlers of his country.

Wasim Akram at the Fast Bowlers Camp, 2013 with Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan.

Sohail Tanvir learning tricks of the trade from Wasim Akram at the Fast Bowlers Camp, 2013.

Mohammad Irfan learning it all from the legend himself.

A magician’s craft is what he is known by...

For more photos from the National Stadium, Karachi, visit our official Facebook Photostream here.

The 46-year-old, regarded as one of the best left-arm paceman ever to play the game, is holding a ten-day training camp for top 20 fast bowlers in the country ahead of the eight-nation Champions Trophy in June in England.

Legendary Pakistan paceman Wasim Akram Saturday urged the country’s top fast bowlers to be aggressive and adapt to new rule changes in order to excel at the international level.
The 46-year-old, regarded as one of the best left-arm paceman ever to play the game, is holding a ten-day training camp for top 20 fast bowlers in the country ahead of the eight-nation Champions Trophy in June in England.

Wasim said the change in rules in one-day cricket which allow only four fielders outside the inner circle throughout the 50-overs, were tough for bowlers.
“You need to be aggressive and learn how to adapt to these rule changes,” Wasim told reporters. “Pakistani bowlers have a lot of talent but they need to learn and adapt to the demands of international cricket.”

Pakistan’s new sensation Mohammad Irfan, who is the tallest to play international cricket at 7 feet one inch, is the star attraction of the training camp.
Wasim said Irfan needs special care because of his height.

“Irfan is a special talent, but because of his height he needs to be handled carefully,” said Wasim of Irfan, who was Pakistan’s best bowler with 11 wickets in the one-day series in South Africa last month.
Wasim along with pace partner Waqar Younis was one of several fast bowlers who learnt the art under the legendary Imran Khan in mid 1980s. He took 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets during an illustrious career.

Wasim dispelled the impression that Pakistan was lacking in quality fast bowlers.

Wasim_Akram_Media_PCB_Fast_Bowlers_Camp

“I don’t think it’s a serious concern. The talent is definitely there but these kids need experience and must learn to adapt to the demands of international cricket where they are found wanting,” said Wasim.
“The grounds in South Africa are green but need certain strategy to bowl, so until and unless they learn it they will not be able to turn their potential into performances,” said Wasim.

Wasim said he will try to inculcate the best attributes into the next generation of fast bowlers.
“I am not a magician, but I will try my level best to help them in phases and hope that the same training camp is staged after a break of three to four months,” said Wasim.

Wasim will also guide the fast bowlers in national team’s tune-up camp in northern city of Abbottabad next month before guiding them during the Champions Trophy from June 6-23.

Wasim said Champions Trophy will be a test for Pakistan.

“It’s a big event and involves a match against India which will be a cracker,” Wasim said about Pakistan’s match against India in Birmingham on June 15.
Pakistan also plays the West Indies on June 8 and South Africa two days later.

Courtesy: NDTV Sports

The Fast Bowlers camp with Wasim Akram hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board will commence on April 20, 2013 at the National Stadium, Karachi.

Former Pakistan captain and opening bowler Wasim Akram will supervise a talent hunt for fast bowling talent in 10 cities across the country from April 13-21.
Wasim will then select the three best pacemen who will attend a training camp with bowlers from the national team in Karachi. Any bowler who achieves a speed over 145 kms an hour will be awarded 1 million rupees ($10,000).

“It is a good opportunity to see what sort of raw pace talent we have in Pakistan that is still untapped because cricket is now played in every nook and corner of the country,” Wasim told reporters today.

Courtesy: TV NEWS

Legendary pace bowler Wasim Akram will fine-tune Pakistan’s fast bowlers for the Champions Trophy at a 10-day training camp in Karachi this month.
Three untested fast bowlers will join the likes of Umar Gul, Junaid Khan and Mohammad Irfan during the April 20-29 camp.

Akram said it’s high time for Pakistan to find lethal fast bowlers to have a reserve pace armory as he feels it’s easy to teach them how to control the pace and the art of swing.

The bowler took 414 wickets in 104 test matches before quitting the longer format of the game in 2002. He also took 502 wickets in 356 one-day internationals and retired from international cricket in 2003.
The PCB had been trying to schedule Akram in for a camp since the World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka last year, but the former Pakistan captain had been busy with assignments as a television commentator – mainly in India.

‘The idea is that within 10 days give the fast bowler the insight of the game,’ Akram said.
Akram used to form a lethal partnership with Waqar Younis in the late 1990s, but since their retirement only Shoaib Akhtar was able to briefly fill their shoes.

Pakistan suffered a big loss when young left-arm paceman Mohammad Amir and pin-point accurate Mohammad Asif were both suspended for longer periods from international matches for their involvement in match-fixing in 2010.
Akram hopes that the three untested young fast bowlers could prove an asset for Pakistan after getting training with Pakistan’s frontline at Karachi.

‘We should prepare a crop of fast bowlers so that if someone gets injured, we know there is a backup,’ Akram said. ‘Of course these fast bowlers will then be picked in their respective regional teams and their progress will be monitored on regular basis.’

Akram was not impressed by Pakistan’s fast bowlers in the Test series in South Africa which the Proteas won 3-0, saying they didn’t ‘bowl in the right corridors.’
‘I have to teach them what is, like we the commentators say, the good corridor,’ he said. ‘What is the right line and length, and how to bowl yorkers around the wicket.’

However, Akram is encouraged with Mohammad Irfan, who was the pick of the Pakistan bowlers on the tour of South Africa.
‘I told him in India that if you are physically fit you can disturb a batsman in all the three formats of the game,’ Akram said. ‘If he is trained properly then he will be there for three, four years.’

After a 10-day camp at Karachi, there will be a special camp for the Champions Trophy-bound squad in the northern city of Abbottabad where Akram said he would also monitor the progress of the fast bowlers.

Courtesy: MAIL ONLINE

KARACHI: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has turned to former captain and fast bowler Wasim Akram and will prepare special pitches for the national team ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in England in June.

The PCB said on Wednesday that former left-arm quick Akram would be supervising a 10-day specialised camp for fast bowlers in Karachi.

“Besides the national team pace bowlers some upcoming young and raw pace bowlers will also attend the camp which will be conducted by Wasim for the board,” a PCB official said.

Pakistan’s chief selector Iqbal Qasim recently said recently that the team could face a fast bowling crisis as pace talent was drying up in the country.

His comments came after a disappointing show from the Pakistani pacers in this year’s test series against South Africa in which they suffered a whitewash.

Pakistan’s most experienced pace bowler Umar Gul managed just five wickets in two tests at an average of 45 as the team handed debuts to three pace bowlers including Mohammad Irfan, the lone success story of the tour, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil.

Akram is Pakistan’s most successful fast bowler with 414 test and 502 one-day international wickets.

Courtesy: TIMES OF INDIA

Karachi: Pakistan pace great Wasim Akram on Tuesday promised to help groom a future generation of speedsters as his country looks to recapture former fast bowling glories. Wasim was part of a long line of world-class Pakistani fast bowlers that began with Fazal Mahmood in the 1950s and featured the likes of Imran Khan, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.

But pace stocks have dwindled in recent years and Pakistan currently have no fast bowlers among the top 10 in either in Test or ODI rankings. Chief selector Iqbal Qasim last week expressed disappointment over the lack quality fast bowlers, a concern which Wasim hopes to help address by holding a two-week camp in April to unearth new talent.

Wasim, who is regarded as the best left-arm fast bowler ever to play at international level with 414 Test and 502 one-day wickets, said Pakistan need to improve their bench strength to excel in the long form of the game. “I am sure talent is there but there is no plan B,” he said. “We don’t have good bowlers for Tests which was proved in the series against South Africa where we lacked in that department.

“Pakistan were white-washed by world number one South Africa 3-0 last month in their recently concluded Test series. The hosts also hold a 2-1 lead in the ongoing five match one-day series. Wasim added Pakistan’s inability to make use of home-advantage, which allows players to excel, was a key factor holding back the development of youngsters.”Not playing at home is the key factor in not producing quality players.

Until and unless you don’t play top quality teams at home it will be hard to find quality players,” he said. Pakistan have not hosted top-level international cricket since terrorists attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in Lahore in March 2009, an event which prompted foreign teams to shun tours to the country over security fears. Wasim said it was time for cricket authorities to take concerns over fast-bowling more seriously.”The PCB (Pakistan Cricket Board) needs to lift the first-class cricket and find some quality fast bowlers.

Once I get 10-12 fast bowlers, I will work on them and they can be groomed to play at international level,” said Wasim.The PCB is also trying to rope in Waqar Younis, with whom Wasim formed a fearsome partnership during the 1990s, for their national cricket academy in Lahore, built to groom young players. With the emergence of Twenty20 cricket, the shortest form of the game, teams around the world have experimented with different bowling line-ups for each format.

But Wasim said when it comes to pace bowling, one size should fit all.”It’s hard to find separate fast bowlers for three formats. I believe if a fast bowler is good enough for Tests, then he must be good for all formats and sustain himself for the limited over matches as well.”

Courtesy: IBN LIVE