The 24-year-old Jamal, who hails from Abbottabad, won the pace contest by clocking 143kph. PHOTO: AFP
But it took just five months for the young fast-bowler – dubbed as Pakistan’s future pace prospect by the legendary Akram himself – to become a forgotten entity for the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
The 24-year-old Jamal, who hails from Abbottabad, won the pace contest by clocking 143kph and Akram hinted that the fast-bowler had the potential to improve further.
Initially, the PCB gave an encouraging response to the promising fast-bowler by inviting him at the national training camp in May ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy.
But since then, Jamal has slipped back into oblivion and is now struggling to find even the most basic cricket facilities.
“I’ve been confined to train at the Abbottabad Stadium that lacks basic facilities,” Jamal told The Express Tribune.
“It rains a lot here and the majority of my time is wasted because we don’t have any indoor training facility.”
The PCB yesterday announced the names for its Emerging Players’ Programme that will start at the National Cricket Academy (NCA).
Jamal was missing from the list as a board’s official said he is older than the players selected for the program.
However, the fast-bowler expressed his desire to use the NCA’s facilities.
“No PCB official or coach has contacted me after the national camp in Abbottabad,” he said. “I want to train at the NCA and if the PCB won’t help, I am planning to move to Lahore for training on personal expense.”
Emerging Players’ Programme begins Sep 16
The PCB announced a four-week Emerging Players’ Programme starting from September 16 at the NCA.
The PCB’s selection committee included players from the Pakistan U19 and Pakistan U23 teams that recently featured in the Tri-Series (England) and Asia Cricket Council’s Emerging Team’s Cup in Singapore.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2013.
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COMMENTS (24)
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I agree with Allah Daad but atleast what PCB should have done is to had him called for NCA sessions to groom him and further should had included him in abbotabad Team, if not for the playing Eleven.
@Naveed Iqbal: Look for the word "King" in dictionary and read its meaning. This word is used for people with exceptional qualities. Over 155 KMH speed is rare but Shoaib, Marshall, Thompson and Waqar in their early career have bowled with this speed. Fast bowlers get recognition but to keep place in team they have to perform too. This guy wants recognition with 143 KPH, which is a joke. He can be selected in some local team with this speed but not in International arena. There is some difference between local champion and International champion.
@ Ch. Allah Daad: By your standards it means the whole world is stupid because no one in the history is able to bowl 160KPH consistently for at least 10 overs. "He could be fastest in Pakistan but he is not “King of speed”." means that Faisalabad is the current T20 champion in domestic competition but is not "champion". SNGPL is the winner in longer format The President's Trophy but is not "Champion". Karachi Blue is the winner of Quaid-e-Azam Trophy but is not "Champion. It seems you have never faced a spinner in your live let alone a king of speed.
@Waqas: I would call king of speed to that bowler who would bowl close to 100 miles (160KPH). We should not use the term "King" for mediocre bowlers. He could be fastest in Pakistan but he is not "King of speed". He cannot claim a spot in the team with this speed. A student who passes exam in second division and also stands first in class does not mean that he is a genius. It means whole class is stupid. Read my comment again, you will understand what I meant.
There was a time when every domestic team in Pakistan had bowlers who bowled more than 90mph. Our bowling attack was so good that Mohd. Zahid, who Brian Lara called the quickest bowler he's ever faced, could not even dream of getting a permanent spot in the national team. Today someone who clocks at 143 is "king of speed". What a joke. The entire PCB management from the top to bottom needs to be replaced ... all the old guard players need to be done away with. We already lose to Zimbabwe, so what's the risk .. if we make changes now, at least 2-3 years from now we might have a decent team.
@Arbin Oh so rajnikant is your neighbor
If he can maintain the same pace for long spells the he is quite a prospect.
Why is anyone surprised, wasting talent is the only thing PCB does right and consistently
@ Arbin Is your neighbor Chuck Norris ?
My neighbor bowls consistently in the 175-182 range. He keeps making dents in the pitch, so I don't let him use my cricket training facility.
King of speed - 143 kph .. LOL!!!!
@Ch. Allah Daad "143 kph is not a very fast speed. There are hundreds if not thousands young bowlers who can bowl with this speed. If anyone who can bowl over 155-160 kph, and that too minimum of ten overs per spell with excellent line and length should put his case forward in media" This is the funniest thing i have ever heard, you must be kidding, 155-160 speed has only been achieved by 2-3 people in history, if you know nothing about cricket then please don't use such forums to misguide people.
143 kph is not a very fast speed. There are hundreds if not thousands young bowlers who can bowl with this speed. If anyone who can bowl over 155-160 kph, and that too minimum of ten overs per spell with excellent line and length should put his case forward in media. A raw bowler with 143 kph cannot exceed more than that after conditioning and training. Shoaib Akhtar was faster when he was noticed than when he became international cricketer. My comment is for those who want to play high level cricket on the basis of speed only. Its not for those who perform at different stages,and build their career.
is he employed by any department? shouldn't be wasted. must be groomed to see the real competencies?
"King of Speed" competition winner Ahmed Jamal should be provided training facilities by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). Whether he is over age, National Cricket Academy (NCA) should adjust him someway. He could become a future prospect soon.
The brilliant talent getting rusted and wasted thanks to PCB. Shame on PCB. This kid should contact Imran Khan or Wasim Akram, else, no one will help him.
Bilal, It sure is a sad one what happened with you.
I was measured 149.6 kph on a speed gun about 1 year back and that too on an unsupported pitch of Karachi DHA club. Back then I had potential to bowl around at 150+ kph consistently. Unfortunately, after initial encouragements and commitments, no one showed interest. I did not receive any feedback from PCB either! I felt that I was being wasted and thus decided to quit and concentrate on my career. I am in Dubai now and play occasionally for my organization.
The bottom line, Ahmad Jamal, you were lucky to get reported by bowling just 143! One advice, do not get fooled by the false promises. You are from abbottabad and that doesn't help you either.
Well i have played cricket a lot and had the chance to face good bowlers. Recently A guy who can click around 135-140 kph in hard ball bowled me an over and you cannot imagine that how quick he was. There was hardly any reaction time.. I was praying for getting out safe and sound.. because i could hardly see any ball coming. Guy with now professional training must be a rare talent and I wish that PCB invests something on him.
As he has been found by the Wasim Akram than definitely there is something in him, hence he deserved at least a chance.
@Adnan i guess you have never got your self measured by a speed gun. You cant compare a raw talent with seasoned professionals. Believe me 143 is very very fast and not many raw talents in the world let alone Pakistan can bowl at this pace. Professionals go through rigorous exercises and learn their action from professionals.
Swing is more important than fastpace bowling!
@ Adnan .. It is an amateur. His speed is bound to increase with training
@Adnan, he was the best for that speed contest so obviously he should be given a chance to get better. PCB being PCB I guess.
143 kph is only 89 mph nothing to write home about, especially if this is his fastest delivery. Most fast bowlers today, including Mohd Irfan, can consistently bowl around the 90 mph mark on a helpful wicket and with the new ball.