[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.