Mohammad Shami Reveals Bowlers Who Shaped His Career

Indian speedster Mohammad Shami has finally revealed the two names behind his success. The right-arm pacer who has already taken a hat-trick in World Cup said that Zaheer Khan and Wasim Akram have helped him shape his career as a bowler.

Alike many other cricketers, Mohammad Shami was also doing an Instagram live chat session with Bengal cricketer Manoj Tiwary where he revealed the same.

Mohammad Shami took inspiration from Zaheer Khan and Wasim Akram

In the live chat session, Mohammad Shami said;

“When it comes to bowling, I used to look at Zaheer Khan. When India and Pakistan faced off against each other, I also used to like Wasim Akram. Both Zaheer and Akram were left-arm bowlers,”

Not only the bowlers, but Mohammad Shami also revealed whom he looked up to while growing as an ardent cricket fan.

“When we were growing up, we used to witness that India and Pakistan used to be the most intense matches. Sachin Tendulkar is a great of the game and I looked up at him when I was growing up. The best pair was of Virender Sehwag and Sachin. When it comes to batting, I used to look up to Sehwag and Sachin,”

Zaheer with Delhi Daredevils and Wasim with Kolkata Knight Riders

Shami considers himself lucky for having worked with both these legends. Zaheer Khan and Mohammad Shami both used to play for Delhi Daredevils in the IPL, whereas, when the latter started his IPL career he represented Kolkata Knight Riders where Wasim Akram was the bowling coach.

“When I came to KKR, I realised the skill and value associated with cricket. I watched Wasim Akram all my life on television, but with KKR, I had the chance to learn from him. For the initial days, I was not even able to talk to him.

“Wasim Bhai came up to me then, and he initiated the conversation with me and he started telling me things about bowling. He read me very fast, he realised what I am all about, I learnt a lot from him. If you have someone experienced close to you, then you should not shy away and try to learn maximum things as well,”

For his Delhi Daredevils former skipper, Shami said;

“Zaheer Bhai and I did not play much together, but whenever I got the chance to talk to him, he was very helpful. I spent time with him during IPL stint with Delhi Capitals, Zaheer Bhai is very experienced, I just wanted to learn how to go about bowling with the new ball,”