[EXCLUSIVE] "Naseem Shah has a slightly misaligned base": Ian Pont

[Cricket Warrior]

In our latest exclusive interview, renowned fast-bowling guru Ian Pont dissects cricket's most explosive pace secrets! The architect of the "Four Tent Pegs" method analyzes Jasprit Bumrah's unorthodox action, diagnoses Naseem Shah's struggles, reveals Jofra Archer's effortless-speed formula, and hails Mitchell Starc's legacy. Plus: Pont's take on sledging limits & South Africa's fast-bowling factory!

Key revelations from the interview include:

Coaching Philosophy: "Coaches should do no harm" — Pont adopts a medical mindset, emphasizing biomechanical safety and long-term sustainability in fast bowling.

Jasprit Bumrah's Action: Pont defends Bumrah’s unconventional technique, attributing his injury woes not to his action but to poor workload management.

Naseem Shah's Technical Issue: Naseem's inconsistency stems from a misaligned base, which can lead to recurring problems if not addressed properly.

Jofra Archer’s X-Factor: Archer’s bouncer is lethal because he keeps his head up — making it nearly impossible for batters to detect when the short ball is coming.

Mitchell Starc’s Swing Threat: Pont dubs Starc the last bowler you want to face with a swinging ball, praising his ability to strike terror with late movement.

Mental Toughness: Fast bowling, Pont asserts, demands more than physicality — "You don’t want a pea-sized heart" in the heat of battle.

On Sledging & South Africa’s System: Pont also offers views on the acceptable limits of sledging and lauds South Africa for consistently producing world-class pacers.

Watch the latest interview with Saj below:

 

[BouncerGuy]

Ian Pont noticed the flaws, but our so-called coaches are sleeping, I guess... Maybe Pont should call them personally to let them know about the problem because they are coaching with a closed eye atm.

 

[LordJames]

Ian Pont noticed the flaws, but our so-called coaches are sleeping, I guess... Maybe Pont should call them personally to let them know about the problem because they are coaching with a closed eye atm.

"Experts" start coming out of the woodworks when things are not going well in our part of the world as Ian says

 

[Deewana Mastana]

I've been saying it for sometime as well that Naseem has a slight misalignment and it's been an issue for quite sometime.

Pont would never take any role within PCB as I've always said in the past and he picks up these technical details because he works closely on fast bowlers as he works on bowling fast.

All the 3 of them have some issues, Shaheen, Naseem and Rauf and they're not picking up these themselves because of the amount of cricket they're playing neither are the coaches they have.

Hesson and the other staff he has not so sure why they went with that bowling coach but it's mostly because of association with Hesson in the past or something.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Naseem’s misalignment issue which I have mentioned before. It’s something that has shown up especially during longer spells. His front-leg bracing is inconsistent, and his alignment through the crease can sometimes lead to loss of control or extra strain on his body. It’s subtle, but over time, it adds up, especially with his injury history.

On Shaheen, his follow-through and load-up have looked off rhythm for some time. Whether that's down to his knee rehab or his action compensating post-injury, it’s not fully smooth. Rauf is more raw by nature—athletically gifted but less technically refined, and that can only go so far without tailored development.

As for Pont, he's always been a "coach's coach," someone who doesn't chase high-profile roles but has a sharp technical eye. His work on biomechanics and pace generation is elite-level, and because he's constantly breaking down the fast-bowling action into its mechanics, he picks up details most coaches miss. That’s the kind of specialist input someone like Naseem or even Shaheen needs right now, but PCB has rarely gone that route.

 

[Bewal Express]

Ian Pont noticed the flaws, but our so-called coaches are sleeping, I guess... Maybe Pont should call them personally to let them know about the problem because they are coaching with a closed eye atm.

Sometimes they are just part of the makeup of the bowler. Only NS can fix it but it requires of months, even years of hard work and he is too busy doing nothing of use

 

[Nikhil_cric]

His flaws were seen much earlier. And he has got some expert technical work done with none other than Steffan Jones himself

And this was 2 years ago.

But it has clearly not worked for him if his base is still not aligned and feet are crossing over.

From what I've heard and understood, he just couldn't bowl with these changes and went back to the action he was comfortable with.

 

[TheSultan]

His flaws were seen much earlier. And he has got some expert technical work done with none other than Steffan Jones himself

And this was 2 years ago.

But it has clearly not worked for him if his base is still not aligned and feet are crossing over.

From what I've heard and understood, he just couldn't bowl with these changes and went back to the action he was comfortable with.

Some bowlers do go back to the action they were comfortable with. James Anderson did that. However, James Anderson’s action change was more to avoid stress on his back. Naseem’s issue is more fundamental alignment.

In addition, Naseem doesn’t have that professionalism or ambition to actually analyse his action and then decide what’s best for him. James Anderson was meticulous and also got himself fitter to be able to withstand the strain on his back.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Some bowlers do go back to the action they were comfortable with. James Anderson did that. However, James Anderson’s action change was more to avoid stress on his back. Naseem’s issue is more fundamental alignment.

In addition, Naseem doesn’t have that professionalism or ambition to actually analyse his action and then decide what’s best for him. James Anderson was meticulous and also got himself fitter to be able to withstand the strain on his back.

Anderson also completely gave up T20 cricket (7 matches in 16 years) after 2009 which ensured his longevity.

Gave up List A cricket in 2015 as well.

I don't think it's possible for Naseem to play only FC/List A cricket and groove a new action by bowling many overs. Even then it's no guarantee. But Naseem will be playing multiple leagues

 

[Saj]

What worries me about Naseem's bowling these days is the lack of consistency.

He will have one good match, followed by three ordinary ones, then another good match, followed by some more poor matches.

The lack of consistency is a huge concern.

In addition I have heard that he is not 100% fit but is continuing to play.

 

[Rafale Nidhal]

Jasprit Bumrah's Action: Pont defends Bumrah’s unconventional technique, attributing his injury woes not to his action but to poor workload management.

I really don't get this workload management discussion for Bumrah. Is he 40+ in real life?

Anderson, Wasim, McGrath, Waqar, Pollock, Donald, Broad and many of the great fast bowlers did took off and had breaks but there wasn't a like a special task team to manage their workload.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Not sure when Naseem Shah is gonna learn. When is he gonna improve? He has got all the skills and a good bowling action, but since his debut, I see no real improvement in his game.

 

[Savak]

Not sure when Naseem Shah is gonna learn. When is he gonna improve? He has got all the skills and a good bowling action, but since his debut, I see no real improvement in his game.

6 years is enough for a cricketer. If they still haven't improved then they don't have what it takes.

 

[Major]

Ian Pont noticed the flaws, but our so-called coaches are sleeping, I guess... Maybe Pont should call them personally to let them know about the problem because they are coaching with a closed eye atm.

Sir, Pont is just a conman lol.
People who are new to the cricket world/industry tend to see Pont as some expert because he is a foreigner and and is always trying to talk about corrections..

Same thing Aqib would do but Aqib gets hated.

He does good pr for himself over the internet. Wrote his own wiki article and on social media he is some renowned coach. Is even member of forums and pops by.

He got exposed when the Atul Sharma episode took place. Failed to fix Bangladesh bowlers, Rubel is there for everyone to see.

He is no different than our ex cricketers on tv. So take his words with a pinch of salt.

It takes a few years to understand that he is all talks...

 

[NishanKonar]

Sir, Pont is just a conman lol.
People who are new to the cricket world/industry tend to see Pont as some expert because he is a foreigner and and is always trying to talk about corrections..

Same thing Aqib would do but Aqib gets hated.

He does good pr for himself over the internet. Wrote his own wiki article and on social media he is some renowned coach. Is even member of forums and pops by.

He got exposed when the Atul Sharma episode took place. Failed to fix Bangladesh bowlers, Rubel is there for everyone to see.

He is no different than our ex cricketers on tv. So take his words with a pinch of salt.

It takes a few years to understand that he is all talks...

Atul Sharma was not a bowler. He was a state level javelin thrower who thought he could modify his javelin throwing action action & start bowling to land a IPL contract - although he never played any level of cricket. Ian Pont tried to help him in his endeavour. But his elbow bent more than Saeed Ajmal. That was the end of the story

 

[NishanKonar]

I really don't get this workload management discussion for Bumrah. Is he 40+ in real life?

Anderson, Wasim, McGrath, Waqar, Pollock, Donald, Broad and many of the great fast bowlers did took off and had breaks but there wasn't a like a special task team to manage their workload.

Bumrah's whiplash action with short run up puts a lot of strain on his body - much like Shane Bond or Shoaib Akhtar. Its his USP as well - allows him to deliver from a position slightly ahead than other bowlers - hence he is always a yard quicker than what his pace suggests

Wasim , McGrath, DOnald , Broad were more classical actions

 

[Major]

Atul Sharma was not a bowler. He was a state level javelin thrower who thought he could modify his javelin throwing action action & start bowling to land a IPL contract - although he never played any level of cricket. Ian Pont tried to help him in his endeavour. But his elbow bent more than Saeed Ajmal. That was the end of the story

Bro no one knows who he was, whether he existed in reality or not. The fact that these guys were able to scam Rajistan Royals into this was real worrying. There are just news article, no one ever claiming to have met him or saw him

I still think it was a marketing ploy for his book at the time.

 

[NishanKonar]

Bro no one knows who he was, whether he existed in reality or not. The fact that these guys were able to scam Rajistan Royals into this was real worrying. There are just news article, no one ever claiming to have met him or saw him

I still think it was a marketing ploy for his book at the time.

No he was a state level javelin thrower. In 2008 IPL was launched. So he thought he can modify his throwing action and become a fast bowler. Ian Pont was roped him to help him make that transition. Ian Pont suggested that if Jeff Thomson & Mitchell Johnson can change from a javelin thrower to fast bowler - then so can any other javelin thrower. AT least that was the plan. However the plan failed miserably as Atul Sharma's action was so dodgy that BCCI threatened to ban him after watching his trials. He was fast bowling version of Usman Tariq. That was the end of the story. Thing is Atul never played any grade of cricket before - so it was never going to be easy transition unlike Jeff Thomson or Mitch Johnson

There was another guy - Kamran Khan. he also had a similar story. Plucked out of nowhere and had a decent show in 2009 IPL for Rajasthan Royals with an action similar to Mitchell Johnson. But his action was also dodgy & he was never seen again. So RR & Ian Pont was onto something - but did not work out well

 

[Major]

No he was a state level javelin thrower. In 2008 IPL was launched. So he thought he can modify his throwing action and become a fast bowler. Ian Pont was roped him to help him make that transition. Ian Pont suggested that if Jeff Thomson & Mitchell Johnson can change from a javelin thrower to fast bowler - then so can any other javelin thrower. AT least that was the plan. However the plan failed miserably as Atul Sharma's action was so dodgy that BCCI threatened to ban him after watching his trials. He was fast bowling version of Usman Tariq. That was the end of the story. Thing is Atul never played any grade of cricket before - so it was never going to be easy transition unlike Jeff Thomson or Mitch Johnson

There was another guy - Kamran Khan. he also had a similar story. Plucked out of nowhere and had a decent show in 2009 IPL for Rajasthan Royals with an action similar to Mitchell Johnson. But his action was also dodgy & he was never seen again. So RR & Ian Pont was onto something - but did not work out well

I know you want to take jibes here at Pakistani bowlers to protect an Indian lol.

I know the stories, you seem to not understanding what i am saying. There isnt any proper proof that there was Atul Sharma. If there was show me. I know the news articles surrounding him and his tyre video.

Kamran Khan was spotted from a trial, he did existed.

 

[NishanKonar]

I know you want to take jibes here at Pakistani bowlers to protect an Indian lol.

I know the stories, you seem to not understanding what i am saying. There isnt any proper proof that there was Atul Sharma. If there was show me. I know the news articles surrounding him and his tyre video.

Kamran Khan was spotted from a trial, he did existed.

I don't know how any Pakistani bowler is involved here.

All I m saying what exactly happened here. There was someone called Atul Sharma - a state level bowler whom Ian Pont tried to remodel into a fast bowler. Did not work out bcoz his action was very dodgy. So much so that BCCI asked RR to withdraw him or face ban for illegal action. RR sensibly withdrew him. What happened to Atul after that - nobody knows. Probably went back to throwing javelin

Its very difficult for a guy in his 20s to suddenly pick up a new sport and excel in it.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

No he was a state level javelin thrower. In 2008 IPL was launched. So he thought he can modify his throwing action and become a fast bowler. Ian Pont was roped him to help him make that transition. Ian Pont suggested that if Jeff Thomson & Mitchell Johnson can change from a javelin thrower to fast bowler - then so can any other javelin thrower. AT least that was the plan. However the plan failed miserably as Atul Sharma's action was so dodgy that BCCI threatened to ban him after watching his trials. He was fast bowling version of Usman Tariq. That was the end of the story. Thing is Atul never played any grade of cricket before - so it was never going to be easy transition unlike Jeff Thomson or Mitch Johnson

There was another guy - Kamran Khan. he also had a similar story. Plucked out of nowhere and had a decent show in 2009 IPL for Rajasthan Royals with an action similar to Mitchell Johnson. But his action was also dodgy & he was never seen again. So RR & Ian Pont was onto something - but did not work out well

Pont hyped him up directly. You are making it sound like this was a minor story that quickly died down when they realized Atul wouldnt make it.

There is an interview on PP where Pont claims Atul bowls at 100mph and was going to revolutionise Indian pace bowling, and mentions all the training and development.

If his action was the issue it would have been picked up early on before making these claims no?

I mean we never got to see him bowl but you can see from this video some short snippet and his action is not too unconventional

Something clearly went on that we will never find out about. Ian Pont I'm sure mentioned at one point he felt conned and didn't want to talk about it...but the issue isn't as simple as he has a bad action so didn't make it.

I think Sharma maybe duped Pont and the media.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

Sir, Pont is just a conman lol.
People who are new to the cricket world/industry tend to see Pont as some expert because he is a foreigner and and is always trying to talk about corrections..

Same thing Aqib would do but Aqib gets hated.

He does good pr for himself over the internet. Wrote his own wiki article and on social media he is some renowned coach. Is even member of forums and pops by.

He got exposed when the Atul Sharma episode took place. Failed to fix Bangladesh bowlers, Rubel is there for everyone to see.

He is no different than our ex cricketers on tv. So take his words with a pinch of salt.

It takes a few years to understand that he is all talks...

I don't think he is a conman by any means. He seems a solid fast bowling coach. Maybe not a overall bowling strategy coach but he will make bowlers bowl more quickly with repeatable actions. He has a stellar body of work around the world bro, the Atul Sharma stuff is a bit embarrassing for him but he is by no means a fraud.

 

[NishanKonar]

Pont hyped him up directly. You are making it sound like this was a minor story that quickly died down when they realized Atul wouldnt make it.

There is an interview on PP where Pont claims Atul bowls at 100mph and was going to revolutionise Indian pace bowling, and mentions all the training and development.

If his action was the issue it would have been picked up early on before making these claims no?

I mean we never got to see him bowl but you can see from this video some short snippet and his action is not too unconventional

Something clearly went on that we will never find out about. Ian Pont I'm sure mentioned at one point he felt conned and didn't want to talk about it...but the issue isn't as simple as he has a bad action so didn't make it.

I think Sharma maybe duped Pont and the media.

Its not rocket science. They got hold of a javelin thrower & tried to remodel him into a fast bowler. Bcoz Ian Pont thought thats the best way to get a fast bowler. The guy bowled fast but with a very dodgy action. Ian Pont probably tried his best to rectify his action - most likely did not work out. BCCI put its foot down and asked him to withdrawn. End of the story.

Why Ian Pont tried to hype him up - well that's up to him. Probably as someone suggested that guy is bit of a snake oil merchant. BUt did someone like Atul Sharma exist ? Yes he did. There wer a lot of stories on him during that time and why he disappeared

 

[Major]

I don't think he is a conman by any means. He seems a solid fast bowling coach. Maybe not a overall bowling strategy coach but he will make bowlers bowl more quickly with repeatable actions. He has a stellar body of work around the world bro, the Atul Sharma stuff is a bit embarrassing for him but he is by no means a fraud.

Na man i doubt it.
You read up on other renowened coaches like kirstein, buchanan, whatmore, arthur, hesson etc you will never find articles, websites or wikipedia pages where it is being stated he is a world renowned coach as made this stride or that. A basic bio exists thats it.

Pont uses alot of such phrases which makes him look shady and i realized by his active presence on the internet that he writes them himself.

The whole Atul Sharma thing wasnt a small thing, i really hate why many people try to brush it under the carpet to save this guys repo.

I still believe there was no Atul Sharma, and he just made this character to increase his book sales.

Pont has worked with Bangladesh and in PSL, sorry, he hasnt done any wonders. For a guy who loves to act all analytical and do self praise he hasnt made a champion bowling line up. And he does more job hoping than any other coach on the market.

He is just like our ex cricketers who sit on tv. Only thing is because he is gora, and gives opinions, the subcontinent think he is some renowned expert.

 

[Major]

Its not rocket science. They got hold of a javelin thrower & tried to remodel him into a fast bowler. Bcoz Ian Pont thought thats the best way to get a fast bowler. The guy bowled fast but with a very dodgy action. Ian Pont probably tried his best to rectify his action - most likely did not work out. BCCI put its foot down and asked him to withdrawn. End of the story.

Why Ian Pont tried to hype him up - well that's up to him. Probably as someone suggested that guy is bit of a snake oil merchant. BUt did someone like Atul Sharma exist ? Yes he did. There wer a lot of stories on him during that time and why he disappeared

There is very little proof that atul even existed.

Writing a story isnt proof. You unearthen a 100mph bowler offcourses articles will pop, but than there are also eye witness that back that claim they worked with him and media also does interviews and make bowling videos.

Not only doesnt a bowling video of Atuls pace not exist. The only person to have ever saw him is Pont lol

 

[NishanKonar]

There is very little proof that atul even existed.

Writing a story isnt proof. You unearthen a 100mph bowler offcourses articles will pop, but than there are also eye witness that back that claim they worked with him and media also does interviews and make bowling videos.

Not only doesnt a bowling video of Atuls pace not exist. The only person to have ever saw him is Pont lol

Bcoz he was not a 100 mph " bowler ". He was a 100 mph chucker. Basically a javelin thrower whom Ian Pont tried to remodel into a fast bowler. Problem is his elbow was clearly bent - no way BCCI was going to allow him bowl. So the guy was let go & the story died down. May be Ian Pont thought he could perfect his action and turn him into a legit bowler - which is why he hyper him up. Unfortunately for him the guy most likely could not correct his action

Just like Saeed Ajmal stopped bowling well once his action got corrected. Without being able to bend his elbow he became very ineffective. Same thing probably happened with Atul. He was probably " bowling " or rather chucking 100 mph with a bent arm but was probably bowling medium pace with a clean action

Any decent bowler can cross 100 mph if he is allowed to bend his elbow. Its not really a big deal

Those days this Atul Sharma story was pretty big. But his action was very dodgy. It was pretty apparent he was not going to make it

 

[Major]

Bcoz he was not a 100 mph " bowler ". He was a 100 mph chucker. Basically a javelin thrower whom Ian Pont tried to remodel into a fast bowler. Problem is his elbow was clearly bent - no way BCCI was going to allow him bowl. So the guy was let go & the story died down. May be Ian Pont thought he could perfect his action and turn him into a legit bowler - which is why he hyper him up. Unfortunately for him the guy most likely could not correct his action

Just like Saeed Ajmal stopped bowling well once his action got corrected. Without being able to bend his elbow he became very ineffective. Same thing probably happened with Atul. He was probably " bowling " or rather chucking 100 mph with a bent arm but was probably bowling medium pace with a clean action

Any decent bowler can cross 100 mph if he is allowed to bend his elbow. Its not really a big deal

Those days this Atul Sharma story was pretty big. But his action was very dodgy. It was pretty apparent he was not going to make it

Its like talking to a wall here.
You really dont understand what i am pointing at do you?

 

[NishanKonar]

Its like talking to a wall here.
You really dont understand what i am pointing at do you?

I am telling you what happened in real life

U are hell bent on believing that Atul SHarma was fictional character invented out of thing air

 

[AZulfi]

The hype created by fans seems to have gone to Naseem's head

He is just an average bowler these days. Speed is down + not penetrative enough in any format

 

[Major]

I am telling you what happened in real life

U are hell bent on believing that Atul SHarma was fictional character invented out of thing air

there isnt any proper proof of him existing. Why is that soo hard for you to accept? You are rambling about things we all read back in 2008-2009.