Mohammad Abbas : A True Fast Bowler
In my previous article, I wrote about what I see as ‘true fast bowling’ and some contemporary practitioners of that art. Mohammad Abbas, a medium pacer from Sialkot, Pakistan is the latest true fast bowler to emerge. He has a whopping 61 wickets from 11 tests with a record average of 15.85. At 28, he is a late bloomer. He burst into the national team reckoning after picking up 132 wickets in 22 matches over two seasons of the Quaid-E-Azam Trophy.
He made his debut against the West Indies at Sabina Park on April 21, 2017, and got Kraigg Brathwaite caught behind off his second ball in test cricket. He was very consistent throughout the series, picking up a total of 15 wickets in three tests. He followed that up with a lackluster performance against the touring Lankans, however, he had made his mark and was the leader of the pace attack. His quest to improve was made evident when signed with Leicestershire and played five tests, picking up a couple of fifers. This was when I noticed him and followed his exploits. He demolished Ireland in their maiden test, picking up nine wickets.
When Pakistan arrived at Lord’s, all eyes were on the returning Mohammad Amir, but it was Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali who stole the show, picking up 8 wickets between them and skittling England for 184. During England’s second innings, Amir found his mojo and Abbas backed him up perfectly. Yet again, 8 wickets, 4 for Abbas and a win for Pakistan.The Second Test in Leeds was all about Pakistan’s failures with the bat, with Abbas picking up 2 wickets only.
After a lengthy break, Pakistan invited Australia for a couple of tests. Australia bore a depleted look with Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft all suspended and Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins nursing injuries. Australia was troubled by a hungry Abbas in the first test, who snared a total of 7 wickets but Australia hung on to a fighting draw. The second test was all about Abbas and a comical Azhar Ali run out. Abbas bagged ten wickets and was declared man of the series for the third consecutive time as Sarfraz Ahmed lifted that hideous biscuit of a trophy.
What makes Abbas special?
His biggest strength is his accuracy and his ability to read the trend of the batsmen and bowl accordingly. Test cricket is strategy oriented and setting up a batsman is a huge part in every captain’s strategy. Here are some stats, courtesy @thecricketprof, which make Abbas stand out. His average speed is 127 Kmph, the slowest for a fast bowler playing test cricket for his nation. I have always observed that reduced fast bowling speed results in increased accuracy. Having a smooth action is the top priority for accurate bowling and Abbas has the smoothest action I have seen. A smooth action is a good, even run-up, a medium jump and a thorough follow through. Evidence for Abbas’s accuracy comes from the fact that Abbas has the greatest percentage of deliveries hitting the stumps since his debut.
Setting up batsmen is another role for Abbas and this usually guarantees wickets. Throughout cricket history, a bowlers’ partnership included two exclusive roles, one bowler sets up the batsmen and another gets his wicket. Abbas has the unique quality of doing both roles perfectly.
Abbas is an equal threat to both left-handed and right-handed batsmen, this is a rare weapon. With the new ball, he bowls to right-handers over the wicket, wide from the crease. He thus angles the ball into the right-hander, targeting the wickets. He has got 48% of Right handers LBW or bowled. During his second spell, Abbas bowls from near the wicket and tries to move the ball away from the right-handers. He pitches the ball short of good length and the reduced pace tempts the batsmen to poke at the ball. The late movement jolts the batsmen and he is edged and taken.
More instances which exhibit Abbas’s excellence comes from the fact that Australia had four left-handers in the top order for the first test and they were all sandwiched between right-handers in an obvious plot to have a left-right combination and put Abbas off his line. However, Abbas was a greater threat now and this proved to be a bad decision. When he started getting reverse swing, batsmen were utterly confused as to where the ball is going to move. In the second innings, he got both the Marsh brothers in two overs, Shaun caught behind to a ball angled in and Mitchell LBW to a big in-swinger
In the second test, Abbas accounted for all four left-handers and nightwatchman Peter Siddle. He got the four lefties in four different ways.
New Zealand was next to face the heat and after blowing hot and cold in the limited overs series, they were confident and were eyeing a good outing in the ‘Oye Hoye’ trophy (There is something wrong with Pakistan and their nomenclature of trophies). In the first test, which turned out to be one of the all-time thrillers, Abbas was given a different role. He was asked to choke the flow of runs and enable the spinners to cause the bulk of the damage. He bowled a total of 34 overs with an average economy of 1.52. This shows his versatility and how he can adapt to situations.
Abbas has been praised highly by pundits and greats alike. Huge things are expected from him. His career has started with a bang and it is all up to him to keep going this way. Pakistan has had many fast bowling greats over the years and it is fair to say that Mohammad Abbas is on his way to being one among them.
