Shabbir Ahmed interview

'I'm confident of being cleared.'

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan

January 16, 2006

It's been a tough couple of months for Shabbir Ahmed, the Pakistan medium-pacer, after gaining the dubious distinction of becoming the first bowler to be banned for a suspect bowling action. However, he has worked hard on modifying his action and spoke to Cricinfo about how keen he is to get back out in the centre

Shabbir Ahmed: 'I am really missing playing against India and always dreamt of India-Pakistan series.' © Getty Images

How did you motivate yourself after being banned? We heard you were thinking of giving up ...

It was very depressing and I even gave up cricket for a month. My family was distressed. My brother and sister kept wondering why it was happening again and again. But they helped me a lot. Friends and fans also played a big part. The cricket board also backed me. Sarfraz told me not to give it all away. I realised that cricket was in my blood and it was clear that there was no way I could do without it.

What about your team-mates?
They have done so much for me. Inzamam, Yousuf, Malik and others used to call me and speak to me about it. It was really refreshing.

What have you done since then?
Once I decided to make a comeback, it wasn't that tough. When you have your momentum going with you, nothing can stop you. There is so much technology now. You can look at a bowler's action from some vague angle and say he has a bent action. So I had to take it in my stride.

What techniques? Who has been the main influence?
Sarfraz is helping with techniques. He is a legend for us. You can see he invented reverse-swing. I have worked with him before, even before playing for Pakistan. I use my wrist a lot. It used to go back too much and that affected my elbow movement. I hope to correct that.

Will that make you less effective in any way?

Not at all. I mainly rely on bounce and I will get that anyway, because of my height and high-arm action. This is just a minor problem which can be sorted out.

You might have had the same action since you were young. How easy or difficult is it for you to change it in such a short time?

When you have made up your mind to do something, you don't think of all that. Cricket was something always on my mind. I used to keep thinking about my bowling - what to change, what to do next. If your mind is on some other activity, it becomes tough.

But you are completely satisfied with your bowling now?
It's going OK. But I have to be careful because I have been reported so many times. Once you are reported, it becomes even more tougher as people are always looking for a fault in the action.

How are you prepared for the bowling review on January 21st?
It's possibly the biggest day for me but I'm confident of being cleared. If it goes my way, I may be picked to play against India in the one-dayers. It's a do-or-die situation but I have to be prepared. I am really missing playing against India and always dreamt of the India-Pakistan series.

Do you feel that some other bowlers were easily let off?

I don't want to think negatively. I am thinking only about myself - how to solve my own problem. I hope no-one else has to go through what I am going through. I know how depressing it is.

Do you feel you could have had better guidance early in your career?

At that time we didn't have that much coaching or technology to help us. Now we can use a camera and find out the exact problem. Things have changed, the facilities have improved. Hopefully the future generation of bowlers don't have to go through the same.

Siddhartha Vaidyanathan is staff writer of Cricinfo

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Pakistan