Anwar Ali is a name that will always be associated with that spell in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup final. As many players who performed extraordinary feats early in their careers have subsequently found, the road to consistency is a difficult one to negotiate and four years on, it’s easy to forget he is still a young man of only 22 years

 by SOSami

29 October 2010

Anwar Ali is a name that will always be associated with that spell in the 2006 Under-19 World Cup final. As many players who performed extraordinary feats early in their careers have subsequently found, the road to consistency is a difficult one to negotiate and four years on, it’s easy to forget he is still a young man of only 22 years. During the 2009/10 season, Ali played in the Lancashire League, picking up 76 wickets at a very impressive 12.10 and scoring 516 runs at an average of 27.10. 

Speaking to PakPassion.net from the PIA training camp in preparation for the Qaid-e-Azam trophy, Anwar Ali outlined his future aspirations and thoughts on his selection for the Pakistan 'A' tour of the West Indies.

Ali begins by summarising recent adjustments to his approach. “I started out purely as a fast bowler but steadily have started taking my batting very seriously. I see myself as future all-rounder for Pakistan and am working very hard for that spot in the side. After Abdul Razzaq, the team does not have any real strength in the all-rounder dept,” stated Ali. The fierce competition resulting from the seemingly limitless supply of specialist quick bowlers coming off the Pakistani assembly line appears to have taken its toll, and led Ali to consider broadening his game to fulfill a niche within the Pakistan international side. 

The key question that emanates from Ali’s decision relates to whether this represents a genuine recognition of personal limitation, or the personification of a prudent ideal. Is such an acceptance at all too tender an age an intelligent decision, or one that’s a damning indictment of the domestic scene stifling self-improvement? Only time will tell. He will have to be mindful of the plethora of medium-pace all-rounders who have been left by the wayside of Pakistani cricket over the last decade, as such a strategy involves walking a difficult tightrope and he will undoubtedly need a strong coaching hand on his shoulder to ensure the balance is correctly addressed.

Perhaps tellingly, when questioned on his aims for the 'A' tour, he positions himself as a member of the pure fast bowling contingent “In the fast bowling department, there is Junaid Khan and Tabish Khan alongside myself that will lead the fast bowling line. Also, there is the U19 all-rounder Hammad Azam. It will be a very important tour for him”. Such comments provide an interesting insight on how his batting is currently a work in progress. He also highlights the contrasting skill-set between himself and probably his closest competitor for the all-rounder position, Hammad Azam “He is basically a batting all-rounder. He will have to work on his bowling now; his batting is already quite good,” said Ali.

The hallmark of being a success at any level of the game is consistency. When quizzed on this, Ali emphasises the need for fitness. “The most important thing is fitness. I am working extremely hard on my fitness, and will continue to do so to maintain it. My bowling is my main strength, but I am working especially hard on my batting as well, I am giving them equal amounts of time and focus.” In addition to this, as was reported during Pakistan’s recently concluded tour of England, Anwar Ali was personally coached by Waqar Younis on the need for improvement of his wrist position after being invited to train with the Pakistan squad at Leicester. 

When quizzed further, Ali indicates he will be working on improving his adaptability as a bowler.“I have worked a lot on my outswinger as well, especially at the Academy and with various bowling coaches. I am still working on it but my natural delivery is the inswinger, so I concentrate on it more.” It seems he will have more work to do. A key element of a swing bowler’s armoury at the international level is swinging the ball both ways and given the range of technology available to batsmen and coaching teams around the world, the development of a genuine and confidently-bowled outswing delivery is a vital component. 

Anwar’s Ali’s self-proclaimed focus on his batting and stock inswing delivery will need proper management. Since its inception, the brain trust at the NCA has had a big impact on the development of Pakistani talent, and the combined skills will be required accordingly. 

Ali’s team in the recently concluded domestic Faysal Bank T20 tournament, the Karachi Zebras, had a disappointing tournament with a first-round exit after two losses. However, his personal performance on lifeless pitches led many to suggest that a promotion to the premier Karachi team, the Dolphins, may be in order. He pinpoints the batting and spin bowlers as the key reason for their unsuccessful campaign.

“In the first game, our batting simply collapsed. There is nothing the bowlers can do in that kind of situation, especially against a champion team like the Stallions. In the 2nd game, we let their middle order get away; our spinners could not exert control. During the chase we lost our wickets in a heap and we could not recover.” 

Of the overall tournament, which has been hailed as a shot in the arm for Pakistani cricket by fans and players alike, he agrees that it was a great success.

“It is a great thing for Pakistan cricket. To see the crowds and the TV coverage, it is very beneficial for Pakistani cricket, and it makes selection for future players a lot easier. The crowds also help develop the temperament for international cricket, as the players start to get used to playing in pressure situations, in front of large crowds”. 

Ali also highlighted a number of batsmen to watch out for on the 'A' tour of the Caribbean. “We will depend a lot on Khurram Manzoor, as he is a Test level opener. It is an important tour for Faisal bhai [Faisal Iqbal] as well, as he will be looking to make a comeback to the national team. Alongside him, Aamer Sajjad is a very good player in the middle order.” Given the recent paucity of batting talent at full international level, the 'A' tour will be an opportunity for these individuals to showcase their talent. Faisal Iqbal is due to lead the 'A' team, and Ali feels he will benefit from having the stability of playing under the same player at regional, departmental and now List A level.

“It will definitely help, as he is my captain at PIA, the Zebras, and now in the A team. I will not disappoint him, Inshallah.” Ali is also philosophical about the constantly changing captaincy of the Pakistan 'A' team. “That is the Board's decision, us players can't do anything about it. We are professionals, and have to adjust ourselves to the situation accordingly.”

Ali hopes to be selected for the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and hopes a good showing at the start of the season will act as a springboard for a successful 'A' tour of the West Indies. The training camp for the 'A' team is due to commence on the 28th of October, and will be for a duration of 5 days. The team will depart for the West Indies on the 2nd November.