The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Life in the fast lane for Pathan

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Wednesday, Jul 07, 2004

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Sport - Cricket

Life in the fast lane for Pathan

By Our Sports Reporter

CHENNAI, JULY 6. Life has not been the same for Irfan Pathan ever since his international debut in Australia last December. And the 19-year-old left-arm speedster is busy keeping pace.

"I realise that playing for India is an achievement but staying there is a bigger accomplishment," said the cricketer from Baroda, while speaking to the press on the fourth day of the Asia Cup probables' camp at the Chidambaram Stadium here on Tuesday.

"I work very hard now, spend a lot of time training and at the gym," he said. Now that Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra have recovered from their injuries, it might only be natural for a youngster to feel the heat, considering the intense competition for the medium-pacers' slots. Pathan is, however, practical.

"Whoever bowls well will play. It's as simple as that. I don't think there is any pressure. We are good friends. We learn from each other," he said.

Pathan is grateful for the involvement and interest shown by the seniors. "Zaheer, Nehra, Agarkar, Ganguly, Sachin... they all help and advise me. Tips about the pitch, about bowling to a particular kind of batsman and things like that."

Does the fact that he is the latest bowling sensation work on his mind? "I don't think about all that. I only think about bowling and ways to improve."

On Dennis Lillee's influence, Pathan said: "It's always useful to talk to past greats. They have achieved so much, they are men with tremendous experience. I've worked with Lillee on my action and areas like injury prevention at the MRF Pace Foundation. Also about the kind of variations needed when bowling on Australian wickets and in the sub-continent."

Pathan says he is a more consistent bowler now. "I was a bit wayward when I began my international career. I was swinging the ball, but was loose on wides. I've now tightened a lot."

About the ongoing camp, he said, "It's a skills camp, with the focus on basics. I bowl during both sessions."

Pathan is aware that he is being regarded as a prospective all-rounder, but he is clear about his primary talent: "I'm in the team as a bowler and concentrating on that. My batting will develop in course of time."

Meanwhile, the National selectors — Syed Kirmani (chairman), Sanjay Jagdale, Kiran More, Kirti Azad and Pranob Roy — watched the probables during practice. They meet on Wednesday to select the team. BCCI secretary S.K. Nair, who is convening the meeting, was expected to reach the city on Tuesday evening.

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