http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-c64193 Khan fears future of fast bowling and quality of Test Cricket
Imran Khan was giving an annual Cowdrey Lecture at Lord’s where he expressed his fear of extinction of fast bowlers. Khan recently officially entered into the ICC Hall of Fame and he became the fourth Pakistani to have earned this privileged award for his services to cricket.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 legend Imran during his lecture stressed that fast bowlers might be a thing of past like dinosaurs. He believed that the international calendar has become so filled with matches that fast bowlers find it difficult to maintain their fitness. The 57 year old suggested axing 50-over cricket might help fast bowlers to remain fit. He also argued that the test cricket standard is not as good as it use to be in the past.
The premier fast bowling all rounder played 88 test matches and 175 ODI’s for his country. He retired at the age of 39 after winning his country the 1992 World Cup. Imran picked up 362 wickets in test cricket while he had an impressive batting average of 37.69 as a number seven batsman. He is also credited for nurturing the future generation Pakistani players in the form of Waqar Younis and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292.
Imran played against fearsome pacers such as Jeff Thomson and Dennis Lillee during his time. Khan also has the experience of playing the deadly attack of the mighty http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Adam-Gilchrist-c918.
MCC President John Barclay requested Imran http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Sussex-c852. Barclay believes Khan was an inspired cricketer and his lecture had depth of knowledge and true experience of a world class cricketer. John said, “Imran was an inspired cricketer. He was never short of opinions and rarely was he reluctant to hold back”.
Khan speaking to a guest audience of 500 people said, “The only test of a cricketer is the Test match because his talent and technique is tested. In Twenty20, if you are very talented you can get away with it, but a good Twenty20 cricketer will not necessarily excel in Test cricket. The stress on fast bowlers is incredible. But cricket without fast bowling is never going to be the same standard if a batsman doesn't test himself against fast bowling. I saw (Australia's) Shaun Tait bowl in the Twenty20s and I thought an alien had come in. You suddenly saw batsmen hopping about".
Imran who had initially suggested for neutral umpires in test cricket thinks umpiring at international levels have improved a lot with the introduction of new technology. He believes now results are more fair compared to the past. He said: "The spirit of the game suffered while I was playing. There was a lot of acrimony in the games and when http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 played against Pakistan. It deteriorated to depths you cannot imagine. Neutral umpires have changed everything, technology has eliminated so many of the controversies and results are much fairer now. I think it should improve further with the use of (more) technology".
Khan later participated in a discussion panel along with former Australian pacer Jeff Thomson, Steve Finn and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Graham-Onions-c60618. Khan also presented Onions a leather bound edition of Wisden Almanac. Graham was named 2010 Wisden Cricket of the Year.
Since retirement Imran Khan has established a cancer hospital and a world class university. He continues to work as a philanthropist in Pakistan. He is also pursuing a career in politics. Khan is heading a political party with the name of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice). He was once part of parliament for winning a seat from his home town, Mianwali.
The Cowdrey Lecture dates back to 2001 when it was inaugurated in memory of Colin Cowdrey. Colin along with Ted Dexter was instrumental in creating a section “spirit of cricket” in the 2000 edition of the laws of the game.
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