‘Trying to bring balance in our bowling attack’ – Hamid Hassan reflects on Afghanistan’s pace attack ahead of Asia Cup and ODI World Cup

Hamid Hassan. (Photo Source: SAEED KHAN/AFP/Getty Images)

There is no doubt that Afghanistan boasts a plethora of talent in their squad, especially when it comes to spin bowling. The side has had many stars in their lineup over the years. So much so that the pacers on the side have been on the sidelines quite a bit. However, in recent months, many new fast-bowling talents like Fazalhaq Farooqi have risen through the ranks and established themselves as a regular in the side.

With Afghanistan, all set to take on Pakistan for a three-match ODI series, their fast bowling coach, Hamid Hassan, came forward to state that the side was not looking to depend on just their spin attack for the upcoming tournaments. Hassan stated that Afghanistan are trying to find balance in their squad. Hence, the fact that only spinners are carrying more responsibilities in the squad, does not mean that they do not have pacers in their arsenal.

“Now we are trying to bring balance in our bowling attack and as the Asia Cup and World Cup is approaching, we don’t want to be dependent on any particular department in our bowling. Spin wise we are very good and there is no doubt about it,” Hamid Hassan told Cricbuzz.

“But if you come to fast bowling there is Farooqi, who is world number two in T20Is, and there is Farid Malik, Naveen (Naveen ul Haq), Azmat (Azmatullah Omarzai) Nizaat Masood and you see the new guy Abdur Rehman can bowl up to 140 and there is Salim Safi and Wafadar Momand so there is back-up in fast bowling unit,” he added.

We’re trying to find bowlers who can bowl over 150 for Afghanistan: Hassan

Furthermore, the fast bowling coach also stated that the amount of talent in the Afghanistan squad is rapidly increasing and sometimes even the selectors are confused over who to pick, which is a good thing.

“Sometimes when we pick the 11, we get confused about whom to play and whom to drop. This is a good thing, but what we’re trying to do is find bowlers in the next five to 10 years who can bowl over 150 for Afghanistan,” Hassan concluded.