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| Mohammad Sami |
Pakistan has always been considered a hotspot for fast bowling talent. From the great Fazal Mahmood to present day bowlers like Umar Gul and Wahab Riaz, Pakistan has never had a shortage of talented pace bowlers. Mohammad Sami, a right-handed fast bowler from Karachi, also started off his career with a bang and gave hope to fans waiting for the next great Pakistani fast bowler. Unfortunately, Sami never did live up to the expectations and struggled after initial success in the International arena. Now 30 years old, he is still hopeful of making a comeback to the international team. We thank him for his time and wish him the best of luck in the future.
Question: Growing up in Karachi, what path did the early part of your career take?
Mohammad Sami: I began playing cricket at college. Subsequently I also represented my club at under-19 level after playing very well, my performances got me noticed.
As a result, I was thankfully spotted by the PCB and ended up being selected for the Pakistan Under-19s.
Question: How were you coached during this period?
Mohammad Sami: To be very honest, I wasn't coached during the early stages of my career - at least, as far as formal coaching or guidance is concerned. I primarily practised and developed my game through playing cricket matches, that's how I improved.
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| Mohammad Sami |
Mohammad Sami: Absolutely! The competition is fierce but in my view, it is that very competition that creates the best cricketers! It motivates you to improve and strive to ensure that your talent and ability is reflected by your performances in the games. So the competition is a good thing, in my view.
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| Mohammad Sami |
Question: You have represented Pakistan many times and have opened the bowling with some top quality fast bowlers. Given the importance of striking up a partnership, which bowler did you most enjoy bowling alongside?
Mohammad Sami: In my experience, it definitely has to be Shoaib Akhtar.
I didn’t get much of a chance to play frequently with either Wasim or Waqar because they retired relatively early in my international career. I did play a lot with Shoaib and we developed a strong understanding of each other's bowling. In fact, we used to have a competition to see who could bowl the quickest during matches!
Question: You had a very impressive Test debut against New Zealand in which you picked up five wickets. It appears your action and run-up was very different back then. Was there a conscious effort to change your approach?
Mohammad Sami: Not really. Yes, I agree that my run up was shortened but my action has remained the same throughout my career.
Question: Why did you reduce your run up? Was there coaching involved?
Mohammad Sami: Not at all - I wasn’t instructed to do so by a coach. In reality, it was a personal decision as I was having problems with my joints and I decided that in the long term a shortened approach would place less strain on by body and would thus improve my overall fitness over the length of my career.
Question: In 2003 you gave an interview where you highlighted the importance of working hard in the gym to build strength and improve fitness. How important is it for a fast bowler to attend the gym?
Mohammad Sami: In my view, it is very important to combined gym sessions with ground work [cricket matches]. Of course, gym is especially helpful to focus on during the off season, as a fast bowler relies on his fitness.
Question: Of all the captains you have played under, who was the best?
Mohammad Sami: Inzamam was very good. I wasn’t performing consistently at the time but he gave me a clear run in the team, gave me faith and believed in my talent - so for me, he has to be the best. I also very much enjoyed playing under Rashid Latif.
Question: Given your experience of having bowled at the world’s best batsmen, who is the toughest proposition?
Mohammad Sami: Well, that is a very tough question! To be perfectly honest, this quite often depends on the day; any batsman, when on song, can pose a challenge.
In my experience, both Sachin and Gilchrist were absolutely fantastic. Brian Lara too is also right up there, no doubt about it.
Question: On the recent Australia tour you got your chance to play at Sydney and performed well but were subsequently dropped after that series. Did the selectors provide you with any reason for their decision?
Mohammad Sami: The selectors rarely give specific reasons. You are often just told your performance wasn’t good enough.
Mohammad Sami: In my experience, it definitely has to be Shoaib Akhtar.
I didn’t get much of a chance to play frequently with either Wasim or Waqar because they retired relatively early in my international career. I did play a lot with Shoaib and we developed a strong understanding of each other's bowling. In fact, we used to have a competition to see who could bowl the quickest during matches!
Question: You had a very impressive Test debut against New Zealand in which you picked up five wickets. It appears your action and run-up was very different back then. Was there a conscious effort to change your approach?
Mohammad Sami: Not really. Yes, I agree that my run up was shortened but my action has remained the same throughout my career.
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| Mohammad Sami |
Mohammad Sami: Not at all - I wasn’t instructed to do so by a coach. In reality, it was a personal decision as I was having problems with my joints and I decided that in the long term a shortened approach would place less strain on by body and would thus improve my overall fitness over the length of my career.
Question: In 2003 you gave an interview where you highlighted the importance of working hard in the gym to build strength and improve fitness. How important is it for a fast bowler to attend the gym?
Mohammad Sami: In my view, it is very important to combined gym sessions with ground work [cricket matches]. Of course, gym is especially helpful to focus on during the off season, as a fast bowler relies on his fitness.
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| Mohammad Sami |
Mohammad Sami: Inzamam was very good. I wasn’t performing consistently at the time but he gave me a clear run in the team, gave me faith and believed in my talent - so for me, he has to be the best. I also very much enjoyed playing under Rashid Latif.
Question: Given your experience of having bowled at the world’s best batsmen, who is the toughest proposition?
Mohammad Sami: Well, that is a very tough question! To be perfectly honest, this quite often depends on the day; any batsman, when on song, can pose a challenge.
In my experience, both Sachin and Gilchrist were absolutely fantastic. Brian Lara too is also right up there, no doubt about it.
Question: On the recent Australia tour you got your chance to play at Sydney and performed well but were subsequently dropped after that series. Did the selectors provide you with any reason for their decision?
Mohammad Sami: The selectors rarely give specific reasons. You are often just told your performance wasn’t good enough.
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| Mohammad Sami |
Question: Injuries are part and parcel of the game, especially for fast bowlers, yet you have managed to stay relatively injury free during your career. What would you put this down to?
Mohammad Sami: It's all about fitness and looking after your body, no other formula to it.
Question: You have improved your batting over the years and at one time were touted as a potential for the all-rounder slot. Do you think you could have taken your batting more seriously?
Mohammad Sami: I have definitely concentrated on my bowling during my career as that is my primary role; but yes, I also put a lot of effort into improving my batting. It’s something that I still work on and I will continue to try my best in that and in all spheres of playing cricket.
Question: That's great, thank you for your time Sami and we wish you all the best.
Mohammad Sami: Thank you!
Mohammad Sami: It's all about fitness and looking after your body, no other formula to it.
Question: You have improved your batting over the years and at one time were touted as a potential for the all-rounder slot. Do you think you could have taken your batting more seriously?
Mohammad Sami: I have definitely concentrated on my bowling during my career as that is my primary role; but yes, I also put a lot of effort into improving my batting. It’s something that I still work on and I will continue to try my best in that and in all spheres of playing cricket.
Question: That's great, thank you for your time Sami and we wish you all the best.
Mohammad Sami: Thank you!
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| Mohammad Sami |
