Holding explains why batsmen don’t like facing Shami

Michael Holding has said that India’s fast bowler Mohammed Shami immaculate line and length make him a nightmare for batsmen who encounter him.

While heaping praises on the fast bowler, the former West Indies cricketer endeavoured to understand and analyse how he manages to take out his opponents despite not being a quick bowler like his contemporaries.

While noting that Shami is known for not giving too many bad deliveries, Holding said the Indian cricketer could pitch the ball incessantly in the right areas to give even the best batsmen of the world headache.

Although the pace is important for a fast bowler, the former West Indies cricketer, said controlling the pace matters.

While also noting that Shami is not the tall type and not extremely quick, he said he is quick enough because he can also control and move the ball around a bit.

Speaking on Sony Ten Pit Stop show via a video interview uploaded on their Facebook page, Holding noted that Shami doesn’t spray the ball around, so this gives batsmen a lot of problems as they get relief from bowlers who do that.

He also said that a bowler who constantly bowls in the right areas and attacking batsmen put them under immense pressure, which makes them vulnerable to mistakes. This he called the strength of the Indian cricketer.

Shami had earlier told IAN, about his aim of becoming one of the best reverse swing bowlers.

Shami, who has 180 and 144 wickets in Tests and ODIs respectively in his record, also said he tries to ensure that his pace is not below the 140kph mark.

He added that his focus remains on the seam and swing as he always tries to ensure that they remain perfect.

While stating that he can bring pace with my physical strength, Shami said it could be worked on with strength training.

Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed