'Many fast men will follow the fast three'

Former Pakistan pacer Aaqib Javed believes that the current Bangladesh pacers can inspire future generations of the country to take up fast bowling.

The Pakistani coach is currently in Dhaka to oversee a week-long pace camp, which will include national pacers and the players from the High Performance Unit. 

“Being a Bangladeshi, whatever picture or video you show them of a fast bowler, it won't inspire the youngsters unless you show them a Bangladeshi bowling at 145kph.  But it has happened recently. Three of your guys have been showing youngsters that they can bowl fast,” said Aaqib following the first day of the camp at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur yesterday.

“That confidence is there. And this is the beginning. We used to have only a few fast bowlers but when Imran [Khan] came up as a role model, we never looked back. After Rubel [Hossain], Taskin [Ahmed] and Mustafiz[ur Rahman], you will have many fast bowlers in the next few years. Your own role models,” he added.

Throughout the next week, Aaqib will be focusing on various technical issues and hopes to 'transfer enough knowledge'.

“We discussed technical pillars of pace bowling [yesterday], which are momentum, ground force and your speed. I don't believe in changing bowlers' actions but I believe in adding something that helps them bowl fast. Today we focused on speed.

“You should utilise your capacity. We focused on 1-2 km with their running speed, which is momentum, and 1-2 km from their front foot force absorption and balance and third is both your bowling and non-bowling arms; pull-and-push theory with which you can increase 1-2 km,” said Aaqib.

“We had a very interesting discussion with them about making a trade of yourself. When you are challenging as an international star, you must have something in you to show people… to become a product which people can buy. It just excites them that you must have something in you. Shoaib Akhtar had pace. Accuracy like Glenn McGrath and something like Mustafizur Rahman. Something unusual. You must create something that is sellable, which is your trade,” he added.