You cannot go from being Bhuvneshwar Kumar to Shoaib Akhtar: Irfan Pathan

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan carried out a detailed analysis of the pace and swing bowling. The veteran spoke at lengths regarding the difference between pace and swing bowlers along with explaining in detail why swing bowling is better than pace bowling. 

Irfan reckoned that the bowlers shouldn’t run after pace as swing has its own advantages. The all-rounder didn’t seem happy with the trend of seamers trying to change their bowling style. The 36-year-old advised all the bowlers to back their natural ability as if a swing bowler will force himself to generate pace, he will end up losing both and will be left hanging in the middle. 

Pathan further added that no bowler can become an express pacer like Shoaib Akhtar from a swing master like Bhuvneshwar Kumar. In his column for The Playfield Magazine, Irfan Pathan wrote, “The desperation to belong to the fast bowler category will leave you with nothing; you cannot go from being Bhuvneshwar to Shoaib Akhtar, it’s impossible. You will lose your swing, and yet not be quick enough to hustle the batsman.”

The 36-year-old also gave the advice to swing bowlers to pose more threats to the opposition batters. Irfan asserted that instead of adding pace to their bowling, the swing bowlers should try different variations like slower-ball and cutters. The all-rounder believes that adding variations to the bowling can help any bowler survive anywhere in the world. 

Bhuvneshwar is not an express bowler but when he swings the ball, he is on a song: Irfan Pathan

“A swing bowler generally operates in the 130-135 kmph region, that’s scientifically proven to be the best range of force to get a maximum swing. But if the same bowler can bowl a yorker or a slower one or a cutter at that speed, he can survive anywhere in the world,” Irfan Pathan asserted.

Further, the veteran gave an example of India’s ace seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Irfan believes that Bhuvneshwar has excelled in bowling as he has many variations like the knuckle ball, the slower one, and yorkers at his disposal. Irfan concluded that what is important for the swing bowlers is that there should be some movement from the ball.

“Take Bhuvneshwar Kumar, for example. He is not an express bowler but when he swings the ball, he is on a song. But the skipper always puts him on at the death because of his ability to bowl the knuckle, the slower one and the yorker. Ball se koi harkat honi chahiye (there should be movement from the ball), that is important,” Pathan concluded.