Bowling Speed & Shadab Khan: Why bowling slow may change Shadab Khan for the better

[adil79]

So, we see why shadab khan hasn't been effective lately.

This all started since south africa tour. He was bowling fine, not perfect or better he can do with his talent.

So, as we don't have spin coach, so, no one guided shadab. And given the superstar complex, he may not improve at all, as he may think of himself as perfect already.

So, what's wrong with shadab?

1- He bowls too fast.
2- He doesn't give air.
3- He gives loose deliveries.

First 2 can be solved, like everyone is saying. Bowl slow.

Look at the comparison with most successful spinners right now, the indian spinners:



Things to look for speed.
How batsman took the risk when seeing the air and loop.
The kuldeep bowl, less than 50, got him stumping. Chahal got 2 wickets on that pitch.

How much sarfraz sarfraz stumped recently? It will be a good figure to know how much spinner bowl aggressively

Both kuldeep & chahal bowl less than 50mph. Around mid 70kph (75). Why is no one in the whole management who guided shadab? Azhar Mehmood may not be a spinner, but surely he knows more than someone who comments on pakpassion?

If whole purpose of shadab khan is to bowl in 60 mph, then we may as well get a copy of imad. We need shadab to pick wickets. Not contain. So, he need to be reminded of his role. 6s every now and then is part of the game. The trick is to not let those go to your head and keep on bowling same and invite a false shot.

Sarfraz has a role to play. Instead of criticizing for runs, he should actually consider picking wickets. as picking wickets is best form of containment. But i have seen sarfraz criticizing shadab & bowlers for going runs when he shouldn't as batsman took risk or played good shot to counter the bowlers, which is expected from the likes of south africa. And this started happened in south africa more


what is your analysis?

 

[adil79]

Another set batman dismissed by indian spinners. And the trick is bowling slow and inviting the batsman to take risk. Beautifully done by kuldeep. I invite you to watch his bowling.

Check pics, how a set batsman in 90s, mushfique, good player of spin, bowled:





Also, look he continuously pick wickets with slow speed:

 

[Savak]

Shadab i feel doesn't have the variety of the other spinners

 

[adil79]

Just look at the pace of shadab khan. It's higher 50s. sometimes touching 60. It's not about variety. He did show variety by bowling lot fast in the second last over to afghanistan. it's the slow pace bowling which invites batsman to take risk, as a result we get stumping, bowled & even catch in deep

Sure, he need straight one & flipper, but that's about the variety he need, with bowling slow

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Pakistani spinners have rarely bowled slowly through the air - Saqi post 2000 was firing it in at pace , Malik/hafeez/ajmal/Afridi/Yasir - all of them naturally prefer to bowl quick and attack the stumps.

 

[Titan24]

Valid point raised. Shadab needs to give more flight and vary his pace more, at the moment his variation on which he mostly relies on is his googly. However, to be more successful in ODIs and Tests he needs to develop variations in flight and pace.

 

[Markhor]

Simply put, Shadab needs to play two full seasons of 4 day cricket to go learn how to set up batsmen, how to vary his speeds and develop his stock ball.

International cricket cannot be a finishing school for unproven youngsters. The gap between international and domestic cricket is too big but we retain the 80s/90s mindset of debuting kids before they're ready.

 

[Savak]

Pakistani spinners have rarely bowled slowly through the air - Saqi post 2000 was firing it in at pace , Malik/hafeez/ajmal/Afridi/Yasir - all of them naturally prefer to bowl quick and attack the stumps.

Its not that simple. Flighting it up to Indian batsmen is an invitation to disaster. The key thing is to use the quicker ball as a variation and a surprise.

 

[hur rizvi]

Simply put, Shadab needs to play two full seasons of 4 day cricket to go learn how to set up batsmen, how to vary his speeds and develop his stock ball.

International cricket cannot be a finishing school for unproven youngsters. The gap between international and domestic cricket is too big but we retain the 80s/90s mindset of debuting kids before they're ready.

I agree legspinners need thorough development.

He needs to play lots of Red ball cricket to hone his skills

 

[Savak]

I agree legspinners need thorough development.

He needs to play lots of Red ball cricket to hone his skills

Not sure if that guarantees anything. Yasir Shah has not been able to transfer his test match heroics into ODI and T-20 Cricket.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Shadab is very raw in both batting and bowling. He has the potential but I think he was picked way too early.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

There is no spin bowling coach with the international team. The spin bowling coach he has at IU is Saeed Ajmal who was known to bowl flatter without much flight and was a bit quicker. And so far with his performances, they are not getting better actually they are declining in my opinion.
Having Mushtaq here would have been extremely beneficial, a well respected spin coach and craftsman of leg spin. His involvement with Yasir was crucial to his success in Tests.
Don't know much about the attitude and work ethic of Shadab though, if it's not good enough, he needs to work on that as well.
He has a good googly, a decent leg spinner which still has room for improvement. The slider and flipper, he can learn and develop it with some help.

 

[hur rizvi]

Not sure if that guarantees anything. Yasir Shah has not been able to transfer his test match heroics into ODI and T-20 Cricket.

Yasir’s case is different. There are players who are better suited to one format than other
Similar was the case with kaneria

Obviously doesn’t guarantee anything but legspinners need bowl a lot to perfect their trade

 

[iPakistani]

If anyone remember when he first burst on to the scene in PSL and T20Is vs west-indies. He was flighting the ball with his beautiful googly that he has and was picking up wickets easily.

In ODIs he struggled a bit to pick wickets and as a result of this he started bowling Imad speed which is not going to help him at all.

 

[giri26]

This requires lots of work. You just cannot change your style in a major tournament like the World Cup.

 

[Naveedahmed1]

Imad Wasim should bowl slow as well. Can’t believe he still hasn’t learnt how to bowl the conventional left arm going away from batsman. It is not rocket science

 

[Naveedahmed1]

On a different note, moeen Ali’s success in tests against India was due to him bowling quicker. However that won’t work on t20s and odi where batsman can line you up and use that pace to their advantage

 

[AZ]

2 things.

1 - He has had groin and shoulder niggles that he couldn't let heal due to incessant cricket.

2 - he still very much a limited overs bowler, will need to play more Tests / FC to not be so reliant on his variations and learn to flight / mix up the pace of his orthodox legbreak.

 

[hadi123]

Really good post. Shadab needs to do good, he's our main spinner

 

[MMHS]

With his current level of control, bowling slow might back fire. Leggis should bowl slow, try to give maximum rpm and flight it above eye line, but that can work only if - he has very good controls over his length, and he has a turning stock ball that he can bowl 3-5 times every over on spot effortlessly.

I understand from where OP is coming, but the examples are not appropriate because of the massive gap between a Shadab & two Indian wrist spinners. BD batsmen are quite good against spin & their foot work is excellent - with his control, if Shadab bowls between 72-79Kph, he will go for plenty.

At present, he has none - not much control over length, neither a stock ballo. For a leggi messing with line might not get enough punishment, but laps in length will be treated harshly...... add to that slow full toss, he is in trouble. At present, he is doing okish job darting legspin, which will work well in T20s, or on a bit sluggish wickets; but before reducing speed and giving more air, he should go back domestic cricket/nets and bowl lots, lots of overs to develop his stock ball first.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Afridi was the only one who could get away as he was a bit like kumble. He had dip and pace.

 

[adil79]

With his current level of control, bowling slow might back fire. Leggis should bowl slow, try to give maximum rpm and flight it above eye line, but that can work only if - he has very good controls over his length, and he has a turning stock ball that he can bowl 3-5 times every over on spot effortlessly.

I understand from where OP is coming, but the examples are not appropriate because of the massive gap between a Shadab & two Indian wrist spinners. BD batsmen are quite good against spin & their foot work is excellent - with his control, if Shadab bowls between 72-79Kph, he will go for plenty.

At present, he has none - not much control over length, neither a stock ballo. For a leggi messing with line might not get enough punishment, but laps in length will be treated harshly...... add to that slow full toss, he is in trouble. At present, he is doing okish job darting legspin, which will work well in T20s, or on a bit sluggish wickets; but before reducing speed and giving more air, he should go back domestic cricket/nets and bowl lots, lots of overs to develop his stock ball first.

Ok, fine. Let shadab bowl like he bowls, and and he will go for plenty anyway. I am suggesting, shadab should at least try? he goes for many anyway.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Shadab losses focus sometimes

 

[adil79]

Bowling pace of most successful bowler since last world cup, Adil Rasheed:




With practice, anything is possible. Shadab can practice to be a bit slow? To give more air to ball?

The argument against that is, he won't control it. Well guess what, he hasn't controlled his normal leg spin either.

With bowling slow, at least he gives himself a chance to pick wickets and win games for Pakistan.

So, so stupid of our think tanks to not think about these small things.

 

[adil79]

Indian spinners continued to be mighty effective. They are the X-factor of India and they will be consistent at picking up wickets. Shadab need to learn to bowl slow, otherwise, he is just darting it in. No flight and just leg cutters at slow pace.

 

[adil79]

Fun fact: You don't get drift when you bowl fast. Beautiful bowling by Indian Spinners. I hope Pakistani coaches are taking notes. This duo will run throughout us like Asia Cup.

 

[AFM]

This isn't news to anyone. It comes down to ability and control and can only develop after years of bowling.

Shadab at the moment is not capable of this. He has to play to his own current strengths - which is his varieties.

 

[adil79]

This isn't news to anyone. It comes down to ability and control and can only develop after years of bowling.

Shadab at the moment is not capable of this. He has to play to his own current strengths - which is his varieties.

South Africa, which is struggling at the moment against chahal & kuldeep, milked shadab dry when he bowled to them. His variations are very limited. He need to bowl slow. He goes for runs anyway, so why not be aggressive and give the ball bit flight and drift by bowling slow?

 

[mak36]

The two most successful legspinners in World cricket right now are also the quickest: Rashid and Tahir. What works for one doesn't work for another.

 

[adil79]

The two most successful legspinners in World cricket right now are also the quickest: Rashid and Tahir. What works for one doesn't work for another.

Rashid doesn't bowl fast. I think deep down, everyone with cricketing brain knows that Chahal & Kuldeep are more dangerous than these. Anyhow, shadab still bowl faster than all these.

 

[AFM]

South Africa, which is struggling at the moment against chahal & kuldeep, milked shadab dry when he bowled to them. His variations are very limited. He need to bowl slow. He goes for runs anyway, so why not be aggressive and give the ball bit flight and drift by bowling slow?

Because he cant with accuracy at the moment. That ability develops after years of FC game development. It's not something you can do just like that.

 

[adil79]

Because he cant with accuracy at the moment. That ability develops after years of FC game development. It's not something you can do just like that.

Totally agreed with you, mate. But can he at least try for a over or two?

 

[MRSN]

Because he cant with accuracy at the moment. That ability develops after years of FC game development. It's not something you can do just like that.

This is why rookie players like him should not become essential part of the team. He hasn't even mastered his primary leg spinner and keeps darting like Imad. Was lucky against England he got away both times but to me there is big concerns over his bowling. He is not turning the bowl. It's not just last game but it's been his story since last 2 years.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Rashid doesn't bowl fast. I think deep down, everyone with cricketing brain knows that Chahal & Kuldeep are more dangerous than these. Anyhow, shadab still bowl faster than all these.

He's talking about Rashid khan who bowls quick. Not Adil Rashid.

 

[AFM]

Totally agreed with you, mate. But can he at least try for a over or two?

He would get smacked all over if he would try.

 

[Bhaijaan]

The two most successful legspinners in World cricket right now are also the quickest: Rashid and Tahir. What works for one doesn't work for another.

Then you haven’t seen Tahir much.

Every spinner knows he’s most lethal when bowling slow. It just comes with confidence but. The best and most confident spinners will bowl slow.

If you get hit for few sixes defensive instincts will take over and you will start bowling quicker.

 

[adil79]

He would get smacked all over if he would try.

He was smacked over to bits against south africa in south africa. I really want him to bowl at least an over, to see if he gets more purchase out of the wicket/and the drift

 

[jnaveen1980]

SA should bat first regardless of conditions. In bowling after a mistake you can come back. But in batting you can't while chasing

 

[jnaveen1980]

Tahir is a good option. But don't you want to expose Rohit to Rabada.

 

[adil79]

Then you haven’t seen Tahir much.

Every spinner knows he’s most lethal when bowling slow. It just comes with confidence but. The best and most confident spinners will bowl slow.

If you get hit for few sixes defensive instincts will take over and you will start bowling quicker.

Finally some sanity. Thank you, neighbor

Can't believe we aren't ready to look past our flaws. We can't improve that way if we keep on justifying our behavior instead of improving. He is bowling too fast. There is no two ways about it. And Shadab can improve a lot if he starts bowling slow. Yes, he will go for runs as batsmen will take risk, but isn't that what we went? We don't want another container or darter, do we? Who else will get you wickets?

 

[adil79]

Drift is directly proportional to how much air/slow pace you bowl, and it's no surprise, the spinner who bowl faster gets the least. 'Drift is sometimes more important than spin' - Shane Warne

Still think shadab should give slow pace a chance: