In the recent Pakistan vs. Australia test match, the spotlight wasn’t just on the scorecard but also on the bowling techniques, particularly that of Aamer Jamal. Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif and fast bowler Junaid Khan took to social media to shed light on what they perceive as flaws in Jamal’s bowling action.
Rashid Latif, on his ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) account, shared images of Aamer Jamal in action and didn’t hold back in pinpointing some areas of concern. Drawing comparisons with Hasan Ali, Latif observed that Jamal tends to display lateral flexion to his left hip joint during the release, creating a potential point of vulnerability.
Moreover, Latif noted that Jamal’s release point tends to drift towards the left hip, and his long stride, covering about 75-80% of his height, contributes to inconsistency in his deliveries. Despite generating good pace, Latif underscored the need to safeguard Jamal’s ankle and knee joints, given the strain induced by his lengthy stride.
In contrast, Latif analyzed Hasan Ali’s technique, acknowledging his consistency in length but flagging an issue with releasing the ball away from the stumps. Latif suggested that Ali should focus on releasing the ball closer to the stumps for enhanced accuracy and effectiveness.
Junaid Khan, adding his insights to the discussion, pointed out two crucial observations about Aamer Jamal’s bowling technique. Firstly, he noted that Jamal’s front foot tends to move towards the fine leg side, and under significant force, his head drops to the left. Secondly, Khan highlighted that Jamal predominantly relies on his shoulder and neglects the utilization of his front arm in the bowling action. While this approach generates pace, it can impact line and length.
Aamer Jamal, making his debut in the first Test against Australia, showcased an impressive performance by taking six wickets in the first innings. Despite his standout performance, Rashid Latif and Junaid Khan’s scrutiny serves as a testament to the continuous refinement and analysis that goes into the art of fast bowling at the highest level of cricket.
