Opinion Why cross the line?

Common to all young Pakistan pacers is the lack of that swagger that’s the calling card of all pacers,regardless of speed or age. Insecurity,jealously and ruthless competitiveness is another noticeable trait. When your new-ball partner,the first-change quick and the two speedsters on the bench are as sharp and skilful as you,anxiety about your place is a 24×7 problem. Add to that your impressionable age,lack of education and any adolescent mind’s ambiguity about right or wrong,and you could overstep the line.

I first met Amir at the 2008 U-19 WC. Pakistan coach Mansoor Rana introduced me to a meek and weak-looking pacer with a hospital tag around his wrist. Within days of landing in Malaysia,Amir was diagnosed with dengue,and confined to bed. After a limp handshake,Amir said he was too tired and disillusioned to talk. “These matches were on TV,this was my best chance to get noticed. I was in terrific form and would have had plenty of wickets,” he said. He pointed to his fellow pacer Adil Raza,who was talking to a reporter after destroying the Australia line-up. “Go talk to him,” he said with a sarcastic smirk. Yet little has been heard of Adil,the boy from Gujranwala who seemed like the next big Pakistan pacer.

An even bigger mystery is the fate of Pakistan’s pace trio from the previous edition,in 2006. Anwar Ali,Mohammad Jamshed and Akhtar Ayub bowled India out for 71 in the final. They too seemed destined to play for Pakistan senior,but that was not to be. Ayub was the fastest in that squad. His upbringing in rural Attock made him speak his mind: “In case you write about me please post it to me. I know after this I will never get a chance to play for the senior team. Too much competition,” he said giving me a paper chit with his address in Urdu. And,pulling my leg,he added,“Your team doesn’t have many bowlers,aap baat karo I will play for you.” Ali,the man of the final,was the captain’s roommate,and a few team slackers said he was selected because of his proximity to the skipper. A mere glimpse of his beautiful run-up,perfect release and precise swing proved that the whispering campaign meant nothing. And even then,it has to be said that Ali,off-field,behaved nothing like the don that he was on field. Maybe he knew that with other worthy contenders waiting in the wings,it was in his interest to be submissive.

Amir at least made it to the senior team and became an instant hit. Yet,when I met him again during the Champions Trophy in South Africa last year,I was struck by how little he threw his weight around. Once,when no “senior” player was willing to talk,the manager shouted for Amir,already seated in the team bus. He rushed out with a courteous “yes,sir” to follow the manager’s orders.

You need to do that. In Pakistan,bright sparks have been discarded for good after a poor series or an injury. A pacer of the calibre of Umar Gul finds it tough to return to the team after an injury break.

Thoughts of fading into oblivion will have crossed Amir’s mind. That’s why when things were going fine for him,he wanted to make the most of the opportunity: senior players in the team were doing it; bigger stars of the past had done it. That’s the only logical explanation. But sadly,Amir failed to realise that he was special. With the riches that he was blessed with,he shouldn’t have fallen for making a quick buck.

sandeep.dwivedi@expressindia.com