Who was... Nadeem Iqbal (Mohammad Zahid's Mentor)

[Mercenary]

As many of you know we recently collected questions for an exclusive interview with Mohammad Zahid. This interview has been partially completed and hopefully we'll get the rest of the questions answered soon!

There is one thing that came out of the early part of the interview that I thought deserved a thread by itself. When Zahid was talking about his roots, he mentioned that he'd been mentored by a fast bowler called Nadeem Iqbal who played for Multan and Pakistan Customs between 1986 and 2004. Zahid claims that Nadeem Iqbal was even faster than Waqar Younis.

Any mention of a super fast bowler always piques my interest so I looked up Nadeem Iqbal and I've found him...

http://pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Players/8/8278/8278.html

...Nadeem Iqbal has a very good bowling record.

80 Ms -- 258 wkts @ 25.92 avg -- 3.0 Eco -- 51.0 SR -- 13x 5WH -- 2x 10WH ---> First class
47 Ms --- 65 wkts @ 26.09 avg -- 4.7 Eco -- 33.2 SR -- 2x 5WH ---------------> List A

His record by itself doesnt allude to a very fast bowler but when I looked through his old scorecards, then I found lots of bowled, lbw and caught by keeper dismissals which are all signs of a real pace demon.

Not only that but he shared the new ball attack with Waqar just before Waqar hit the big time, that must have been one hell of an opening bowling combination if Zahid is accurate about Nadeem Iqbal's speed. Imagine that two 95mph+ bowlers tearing in from either end!!

So do any old time PPers remember this guy and was he really as fast as Zahid told us?

[Mercenary]

Zahid also mentioned this match...

http://pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/66/66710.html

...he said the first innings dismissal of the whole team for 20 runs is (or maybe was) a first class record.

Nadeem Iqbal took 6 wickets for 9 runs in 9.3 overs with 4 caught keeper and 1 bowled.

[qadoos]

Originally Posted by Mercenary Zahid also mentioned this match... http://pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/66/66710.html ...he said the first innings dismissal of the whole team for 20 runs is (or maybe was) a first class record. Nadeem Iqbal took 6 wickets for 9 runs in 9.3 overs with 4 caught keeper and 1 bowled.

what Zahid has said about its absolutely true he had lightning speed and swing reversed the ball at will, back in 1993 Nadeem played his league cricket for Blythe in Bassetlaw league he told us about up n coming fast Bowler a seventeen year old by the name of Mohammed Zahid, about Nadeem Iqbal Ramiz RAJA once told me that Waqar himself said that Nadeem was Quicker then him, nadeem played his league cricket Around Sheffield.

[SUPERSAMI]

Begs to question why he never got a game? Does Zahid touch on that in the interview?

[DM]

Amazing, really intriguing thread. I'd also love to see SuperSami's question answered.

Any footage of him that he knows of?

Quicker than Zahid himself?
We need to know more about this man!

[qadoos]

Originally Posted by SUPERSAMI Begs to question why he never got a game? Does Zahid touch on that in the interview?

first of all he had stress fracture of back secondly lot of Politics, he was so good,he did play in side game at Rawalpidi Against touring New zealand in that same match Mohammed Akram played his first game and from then on Mohammed Akram went on to play for Pakistan but i personally believe Nadeem WAS better Bowler with beutiful Action,this year I was talking to kashif Raza wapda's fast bowler he said Nadeem was his role model his favourite bowler.

[octavian]

its amazing nobody knows about this guy when bowlers Waqar and Zahid are claiming that he was faster than them ??

what more proof do we need of the ineptness of our domestic cricket structure ?

[nadeem]

Yep, even noddy said the same thing. According to noddy nadeem iqbals our fastest ever bowler.

[Kashif]

Never heard of this player before. Would love to know more about him.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by nadeem Yep, even noddy said the same thing. According to noddy nadeem iqbals our fastest ever bowler.

I knew I'd heard his name before, I remember someone giving his name when asked who was the fastest bowler to never play for Pakistan. I guess it was Noddy.

Noddy bhai, any info on this guy?

[Boi]

off topic: Man this guy is from sahiwal that where my family comes from lol!!!

[usman_ash14]

there is his picture
http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/****...yer/42046.html

[SUPERSAMI]

That monobrow seals the deal, this guy was ultra quick!

[usman_ash14]

lol
zahid had this unibrow too
i guess its the ultra quick bowlers thing.
That being said maybe fawad alam should startbowling fast as he aslo has one

[DM]

Originally Posted by SUPERSAMI That monobrow seals the deal, this guy was ultra quick!

[Oxy]

I'll be honest - I have never heard of the guy. I guess all the plaudits were being taken by The 2 W's.

Not even the picture jogged any memories - worryingly, I am older than him...

[octavian]

havent heard of this guy either but i respect the opinions of Waqar and Zahid

[Saqlain_doosra]

I think I seen him play for Attock cricket club in Birmingham. They had a special match for him 2004 to collect money for him( I think it was called Nadeem memorial). Waqar and Zahid both played in the match aong with Bazid khan and other guys playing local league.

[DM]

Waqar, Akhtar, Zahid, Iqbal

Pak's four 100mph men. I like it

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by octavian its amazing nobody knows about this guy when bowlers Waqar and Zahid are claiming that he was faster than them ?? what more proof do we need of the ineptness of our domestic cricket structure ?

It makes me wonder how many other super fast bowlers have fallen by the wayside because of the non-professional selectors and how many bowlers like this we have knocking around in Pakistan who will never get a chance!

I mean look at Waqar, from what I've heard/read if Imran hadn't forced the selectors hands then we'd have never seen him either because the selectors had decided against playing him!

The same for Inzamam (who I know isnt a fast bowler ) who the selectors had decided wasnt International standard till Imran insisted on his selection!

It's no use producing bowlers like Nadeem Iqbal if they are overlooked so completely!!

[qadoos]

Originally Posted by usman_ash14 there is his picture http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/****...yer/42046.html

this photo is that of Nadeem Iqbal's but he does not come from peshawar no way near, he was born in Gagu Mandi in punjab.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by qadoos this photo is that of Nadeem Iqbal's but he does not come from peshawar no way near, he was born in Gagu Mandi in punjab.

That's where Zahid said Iqbal was from, Zahid said he's from the same place too

[qadoos]

Originally Posted by Saqlain_doosra I think I seen him play for Attock cricket club in Birmingham. They had a special match for him 2004 to collect money for him( I think it was called Nadeem memorial). Waqar and Zahid both played in the match aong with Bazid khan and other guys playing local league.

yes you did see him play for Attock in Birmingham cricket league he was there for few season's but he was not in his peak, I remember in 1993 he played in a game for Norton Oaks against Rotherham pheonix, he was unkown when he bowled the people were surprised by the shear pace of his and the batsmen started wearing extra padding and it seemed at the time the batsmen were not too happy about going out to bat.

[DM]

Originally Posted by qadoos yes you did see him play for Attock in Birmingham cricket league he was there for few season's but he was not in his peak, I remember in 1993 he played in a game for Norton Oaks against Rotherham pheonix, he was unkown when he bowled the people were surprised by the shear pace of his and the batsmen started wearing extra padding and it seemed at the time the batsmen were not too happy about going out to bat.

sounds amazing, tell us more about him please Qadoos

[infamous9383]

Originally Posted by DM sounds amazing, tell us more about him please Qadoos

you sound like you are sitting on your daddy's lap and keep telling him that you want to hear more of the story each and every time.

[12thMan]

Never heard his name but something is confusing looking at the cricinfo link above. He started his first class career at age 16 so by the time he got to his peak someone should have noticed

[DM]

Originally Posted by infamous9383 you sound like you are sitting on your daddy's lap and keep telling him that you want to hear more of the story each and every time.

I'd happily sit on his lap if he's going to tell us more about this demon

(I would never sit on his lap)

[Saqlain_doosra]

Originally Posted by qadoos yes you did see him play for Attock in Birmingham cricket league he was there for few season's but he was not in his peak, I remember in 1993 he played in a game for Norton Oaks against Rotherham pheonix, he was unkown when he bowled the people were surprised by the shear pace of his and the batsmen started wearing extra padding and it seemed at the time the batsmen were not too happy about going out to bat.

He was quite old at the time. At the end poor guy couldn't get a visa to come as an overseas player (not sure but he had some problems). I was very well known for his abilty to take wickets. I think every one loved him at the club beacuse he gave his 100%.

I think I played agianst him but didn't bowl to him ro batted against him. OR maybe he was not playing the match against us.

[qadoos]

Originally Posted by Saqlain_doosra He was quite old at the time. At the end poor guy couldn't get a visa to come as an overseas player (not sure but he had some problems). I was very well known for his abilty to take wickets. I think every one loved him at the club beacuse he gave his 100%. I think I played agianst him but didn't bowl to him ro batted against him. OR maybe he was not playing the match against us.

and he was very nice guy gave lot of respect to people he knew specially the elders, I spoke to him about three years a go on the Abdur Rauf's phone when i was trying to get overseas for Rotherham town cc. But now somebody has started this thread about him i will try and see if Mohammed Zahid has his number and give him a call

[1mmy]

I agree with everything Qadoos says about Nadeem Iqbal. He used to play midweek cricket in Sheffield. From what iv heard from batsmen who have faced him, he was a more feared bowler than Mohammed Zahid.
He was playing in the Birmingham League for Attock Cricket Club as their Overseas Pro

[Monsee]

What I want to know is 'If so many people knew about his ability and talent, why no one even tried to let Imran Khan/selctors, any involved person in PCB know about this gem?'

Even Noddy is all praise for him now when the guy is history but what is the point now...same with all other posters saying 'Oh yeah I knew him etc. etc.'

[Oxy]

Originally Posted by Monsee but what is the point now...same with all other posters saying 'Oh yeah I knew him etc. etc.'

Just as well I said I had never heard of him

[Monsee]

Originally Posted by Oxy Just as well I said I had never heard of him

Yeah, you are the man OXY...only if you knew him, his life would have been complete

[Saqlain_doosra]

Originally Posted by Monsee Yeah, you are the man OXY...only if you knew him, his life would have been complete

I didn't know him personally on anything. He played for a club close to my house. He performed well for them.

[Monsee]

Originally Posted by Saqlain_doosra I didn't know him personally on anything. He played for a club close to my house. He performed well for them.

I know man, I was just talking in general...but everyone now saying I knew him and he had so much ability does not do anything for the poor guy!

If I was in a position where I knew some selectors/players and I came across such a talent; I would do anything to have him watched/observed by a person like Imran, who was always willing to try out 'Naturally Talented Players'...if he thought they had a special gift!

For a guy who is supposedly quicker then Zahid/Waqar...why no one even remotely mentioned his name in all these years?

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by Monsee For a guy who is supposedly quicker then Zahid/Waqar...why no one even remotely mentioned his name in all these years?

Someone must have noticed him because he played for the PCB Patrons XI vs the visiting Sri Lankans in 1995...

http://pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/61/61066.html

...I think his biggest problem was that his peak happened at the same time as Pakistan had Imran, Waqar, Wasim and Aaqib. And the selectors arent the sort to take chances with fresh blood when you have proven performers in the side.

Also his big chance in the Patrons XI came just before Zahid hit the scene and no doubt the selectors preferred the younger option.

[DM]

Originally Posted by Mercenary Someone must have noticed him because he played for the PCB Patrons XI vs the visiting Sri Lankans in 1995... http://pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/61/61066.html ...I think his biggest problem was that his peak happened at the same time as Pakistan had Imran, Waqar, Wasim and Aaqib. And the selectors arent the sort to take chances with fresh blood when you have proven performers in the side. Also his big chance in the Patrons XI came just before Zahid hit the scene and no doubt the selectors preferred the younger option.

My God I'm really fascinated now, look at that scorecard, Mohammad Akram as well no doubt winging it in at 95mph (he was still bowling at 90mph for his county recently) and this Nadeem guy who seems to love bombarding the stumps and pads.

[DM]

What a fast bowling legacy. At the same time (various stages of their career of course), we could have had (with my estimates):

1) Waqar Younis (peak of 101mph)
2) Wasim Akram (peak of 97.3mph)
3) Muhammad Zahid (peak of 104.1mph)
4) Shoaib Akhtar (peak of 102mph)
5) Mohammad Akram (peak of 98.5mph)
6) Mohammad Sami (peak of 98mph)
7) Nadeem Iqbal (faster than Zahid! Peak of ????mph!)

I'm sure I've left some 95mph bowlers out, anyone?

[mamoo gogo]

Originally Posted by Cricinfo Bowling style Right-arm fast-medium

I'm confused

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by DM What a fast bowling legacy. At the same time (various stages of their career of course), we could have had (with my estimates): 1) Waqar Younis (peak of 101mph) 2) Wasim Akram (peak of 97.3mph) 3) Muhammad Zahid (peak of 104.1mph) 4) Shoaib Akhtar (peak of 102mph) 5) Mohammad Akram (peak of 98.5mph) 6) Mohammad Sami (peak of 98mph) 7) Nadeem Iqbal (faster than Zahid! Peak of ????mph!) I'm sure I've left some 95mph bowlers out, anyone?

Was he really that fast?

[DM]

Originally Posted by mamoo gogo I'm confused

Never, ever take Cricinfo's classification as anything remotely accurate. I wrote a long post on this before showing how they called many people "right arm fast-medium" like Akhtar (they eventually changed it), Ngam initially, Hayward initially, Sami initially, they STILL have Zahid down as that (and always did, despite his written profile, which should have been obvious to them that he's not) and many more examples. Courtney Walsh towards the end of his career was producing stocks of 78mph and they STILL had him as "Right Arm Fast".

Basically the conclusion is that their classification undergoes no rigor whatsoever, they dont take it seriously.

[DM]

Originally Posted by Uzzy Was he really that fast?

Yes bro, even in his thirties playing for Surrey in county cricket, Sky Sports had clocked him at 90mph. At his peak he was express.

I have on video a spell against Sri Lanka in a test that must have easily been 95mph almost every delivery (it was before speed guns).

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by DM Yes bro, even in his thirties playing for Surrey in county cricket, Sky Sports had clocked him at 90mph. At his peak he was express. I have on video a spell against Sri Lanka in a test that must have easily been 95mph almost every delivery (it was before speed guns).

Would it be possible if you could upload this spell if you don't mind? I have a lack of Mohammad Akram clips you see...

[Mercenary]

During the 1999 WC, Imran Khan was talking about Akhtars speed and he said there is another bowler just as fast called Mohammad Akram. Was he really that quick tho?

[DM]

Originally Posted by Uzzy Would it be possible if you could upload this spell if you don't mind? I have a lack of Mohammad Akram clips you see...

I wont be able to do that spell soon bro, they're still on VHS, I'll have to pull the video ripping gear out again to do so. I'll put it on the list for next session (God knows when that will be!). But here are a few clips I've already ripped of him, bear in mind they are towards his latter part of his career (wasn't as quick) yet he was still clocking consistently in the 140s kph in Aus and in the WI.

Also note how amazingly aggressive he is (Vs Gilchrist and Vs Waugh)!

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JF2ZAYHR
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FSTO5UUF
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E2MXDYEF

[Uzzy]

Originally Posted by DM I wont be able to do that spell soon bro, they're still on VHS, I'll have to pull the video ripping gear out again to do so. I'll put it on the list for next session (God knows when that will be!). But here are a few clips I've already ripped of him, bear in mind they are towards his latter part of his career (wasn't as quick) yet he was still clocking consistently in the 140s kph in Aus and in the WI. Also note how amazingly aggressive he is (Vs Gilchrist and Vs Waugh)! http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JF2ZAYHR http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FSTO5UUF http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E2MXDYEF

Any clips is better than nothing. Thanks man, appreciate it!

[DM]

Originally Posted by Mercenary During the 1999 WC, Imran Khan was talking about Akhtars speed and he said there is another bowler just as fast called Mohammad Akram. Was he really that quick tho?

Yes I think I remember that. Of what I've seen, I dont think he's as fast, but I haven't seen too much of early Mo Akram, and Imran has so it's a possibility!

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by DM 1) Waqar Younis (peak of 101mph) 2) Wasim Akram (peak of 97.3mph) 3) Muhammad Zahid (peak of 104.1mph) 4) Shoaib Akhtar (peak of 102mph) 5) Mohammad Akram (peak of 98.5mph) 6) Mohammad Sami (peak of 98mph) 7) Nadeem Iqbal (faster than Zahid! Peak of ????mph!)

What's with the prefix Mohammad and pace?

We've already had Zahid, Sami and Akram. Then if rumours are to be believed in the future we'll have Mohammad's Talha, Aamer and Irshad too.

[DM]

I know, have always wanted to see
b. Mohammad Zahid
lbw Mohammad Zahid
b. Mohammad Sami
lbw Mohammad Akram

Closest I've seen to my favourite bowling line up is:
http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/ci/en...tch/64798.html

Akhtar, Sami, Zahid, Afridi, Saqlain

Lightning pace, and truly unique spinners. A line-up of sheer talent.

[in_cutter]

Interesting stuuf about Iqbal....Mohammed Akram had one of the best bowling actions going.

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by DM I wont be able to do that spell soon bro, they're still on VHS, I'll have to pull the video ripping gear out again to do so. I'll put it on the list for next session (God knows when that will be!). But here are a few clips I've already ripped of him, bear in mind they are towards his latter part of his career (wasn't as quick) yet he was still clocking consistently in the 140s kph in Aus and in the WI. Also note how amazingly aggressive he is (Vs Gilchrist and Vs Waugh)! http://www.megaupload.com/?d=JF2ZAYHR http://www.megaupload.com/?d=FSTO5UUF http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E2MXDYEF

Just had a look and he does look very nippy, I can well imagine the sort of pace he was bowling when Imran saw him

[Saj]

I hang my head in shame and admit that I only heard of this guy when Noddy bhai mentioned him.

Lets try to do some digging around on him and see if we can contact him.

[Noddy]

Nadeem was very sharp indeed....

I recall facing him in a uk league game several years back when i was sub proing for someone.

He was loping in from 7/8 yards...he was still hitting the deck, then when I came to face him, he came in properly...

I recall one delivery he bowled on an ok track hittin the shoulder and going one bounce over 3rd man for 4.

He was a quality fast bowler who was injured at the wrong times....

Wiry frame....

[DM]

Originally Posted by Noddy Nadeem was very sharp indeed.... I recall facing him in a uk league game several years back when i was sub proing for someone. He was loping in from 7/8 yards...he was still hitting the deck, then when I came to face him, he came in properly... I recall one delivery he bowled on an ok track hittin the shoulder and going one bounce over 3rd man for 4. He was a quality fast bowler who was injured at the wrong times.... Wiry frame....

Bloody hell, I had never heard of him either. Wiry frame? Sounds like an absolute demon. Was he as tall as Zahid? Anyone know what action he had, was it front-on electric jolt like Zahid? Slingy?

[DM]

Originally Posted by Saj I hang my head in shame and admit that I only heard of this guy when Noddy bhai mentioned him. Lets try to do some digging around on him and see if we can contact him.

There's no shame in it bro, heck I only knew about Zahid because a good Indian friend (who taught me a lot about cricket) told me about him after I asked him who was the fastest bowler he had ever seen (I had started my interest in everything about pace bowling, stump-breaking etc). Then I researched his old scorecards on Cricinfo, got as many cricket videos of that time that I could, and started threads about him on the old Pakpassion.

[qadoos]

I have phoned Abdur Rauf to congratulate him for his Debut and Got Nadeem Iqbal's number from him today and i phoned Nadeem, I have told him about this Thread Pakpassion have run on him, and how much people would have liked to have seen him play for Pakistan,He sends his Regards to everybody and says thanks for your recognition,also he did blame certain individual( by name) for him not playing,but he said that it's history now,
at present he runs his cricket Academy, also he is involved with cricket board.

[Iqbal'sh]

Originally Posted by in_cutter Interesting stuuf about Iqbal....Mohammed Akram had one of the best bowling actions going.

Akram's action is very similar to Micheal "Whispering Death" Holding.

[yasserkhan]

I thought Mo Akram wasted his career bowling with an action that was a cross between his original mentor, Walsh, and Mickey Holding. Please note the way he wiped his anus at the start of his runup and the wannabe holding action. Perhaps if he had an action that was his, he might have been rather sharper and more successful.

[Iqbal'sh]

He may have been unfortunate, like Nadeem Iqbal, that he was in the same era as Wasim, Waqar, Aaqib, Zahid and Shoaib.

I don't think his action hindered his speed, I mean Holding was not exactly military medium.

[yasserkhan]

I certainly don't think it helped him, it looked forced and unnatural. That's what usually happens when you have a brown man trying to act like a black man. I really don't think Aquib, Zahid (lasted about a week) or even Shoaib (coz he hardly plays and when he does he goes off after 5 overs), really classes as competition.

[Iqbal'sh]

He debuted in 95/96, Aaqib played until 98/99 but Shoaib debuted 97/98, and with Waqar and Wasim still going strong he was only going to be left with few opportunities.

Still made 19 test appearances. Others that were tried at the same time (Shahid Nazir, Fazle Akbar, Irfan Fazil) did not get as many chances as him. Not withstanding that Nazir made a few more appearances recently.

[reverse swing]

i,m almost certain that Nadeem Iqbal toured New Zealand with the A team during the 95 season and he broke some batsman,s ribs, and i read at the time people talking about his pace

[Mercenary]

bump

[HeartOfPak]

Im not being funny but if this guy was as quick as everyone says - and well know on the FC scene. Someone would have picked him up - especially someone of Imran's calibre.

You wouldnt hold a good man back - especially if he really was express. I mean teams would kill to follow the west indian model of 4 out and out quicks. Imran would have been wise to that....especially with Waqar getting injured for the 92 WC, he could quite easily have called on this bloke to plug a hole rather than the likes of Wasim Haider ;)

[Mercenary]

Originally Posted by HeartOfPak Im not being funny but if this guy was as quick as everyone says - and well know on the FC scene. Someone would have picked him up - especially someone of Imran's calibre.

Imran wasnt a selector he only discovered Waqar by accident when he had to stay at home because he was ill and saw Waqar on the TV. Imagine if Imran hadnt fallen ill that day and never seen Waqar bowl? If I remember my Waqar mythos correctly, he had already been tried by the PCB and they had decided he couldnt make it at the top level, the same with Inzi.

Nadeem Iqbal was noticed by the PCB, he played a PCB XI match against the Sri Lankans in 1995...

http://pcboard.com.pk/Archive/Scorecards/61/61066.html

...however I think Noddy's comment about Nadeem Iqbal probably sums up the reason why he didnt get the chances he should've...

Originally Posted by Noddy He was a quality fast bowler who was injured at the wrong times....

[HeartOfPak]

Actually, thats a popular myth that Waqar was a complete unknown...just like Diana Ross discovering the Jacksons. It makes a good read. Waqar was the leading wicket taker in Pakistan the year before he debuted for Pakistan in '89.

If you have read Wasim and Waqar's autobiography (funnily enough entitled "Wasim and Waqar") - Akram says Waqar was already training with the Pakistan team at least a year before Imran 'discovered' him

Your not giving Imran enough credit for using his contacts to spot talent either. He didnt pluck Inzamam out of thin air, he used his contacts to find out what local talent was on the scene sinec he was not playing FC cricket in Pak [in this case Ramiz Raja who brought Inzi to Imrans attention] and arranged a net session for Inzamam to face the Pakistan quicks. So had this guy who Noddy speaks about been any good - he would NOT have missed the net IMHO.

[khanz141]

After reading this thread i wonder how many speed demons are still out there on the streets of Pakistan.

[musti]

in that match for the patrons XI...his 2 wickets in the first innings were jayasuriya and ranatunga(bowled first ball)...the lad must've had something in him.