Bilawal Bhatti awaits one good spell to change his fate
Pakistan's right-arm fast-bowler believes he can repeat the bowling success he was selected for in the first place
Bhatti was optimistic that he could regain his form for which he was selected in the Pakistan. PHOTO:AFP
Pakistan’s right-arm fast-bowler Bilawal Bhatti, who received wicket-less beatings in his recent outings, told PakPassion in an interview that he is waiting for one good spell to change the course of his luck from bad to good.
"Your fans and supporters will always feel disappointed if you aren’t doing well," said Bhatti.
"I have debuted in all formats of the game and there were some games where my confidence took a beating.
"I am trying very hard to fix these issues and all I need is one or two good matches which should help me in achieving my potential. I am biding my time and working hard on my bowling and God willing, just like a batsman who needs one good innings to get back into form, I am looking for that one good spell to get me going again. Head coach Waqar Younis is also helping me in this regard and I will prove myself whenever I next get a chance to represent Pakistan."
Bhatti said that being an attacking bowler can be difficult at times against batsmen.
"I am an attacking bowler and you do go for runs sometimes when you attack," said the 23-year-old.
"But, you must also realize that you cannot take wickets without being an attacking bowler. You can examine the bowling records of any top-class fast bowlers such as Waqar, Shoaib Akhtar or Brett Lee and you will note that runs do flow when the intent is to attack the batsman.
He gave Wahab Riaz's example saying that one good spell of fast-bowling against Shane Watson in the World Cup has changed the left-arm pacer for good.
"As you can see with Wahab, his confidence level has sky-rocketed after that spell against Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup. Apart from that, Wahab has also put the fear in the minds of the batsmen that he is quick even though he had been bowling at similar speeds before as well."
Furthermore, Bhatti was optimistic that he could regain his form for which he was selected in the Pakistan team in the first place.
"I recall that in my season in First-Class cricket which really introduced me to the world as a good player, I took 85 wickets and was bowling so well that I could have run in with my eyes closed and taken wickets. I am working towards gaining this type of form again and hoping that I will not disappoint my fans," he said.
Bilawal added that, he had been advised by Waqar to bowl with the new ball and work on his length.
"One important area I have been asked to attend to is the length of my deliveries, especially when it comes to bowling with the new ball. In addition, Waqar has also asked me to work on the grip and try out a new one he has suggested.
"Coming back to the length of my deliveries, in domestic cricket, I have been bowling with the older ball but recently in the past few games, I have bowled with the new ball also. Waqar’s view is for me to keep on trying and working hard on the length aspect with the new ball and I will be successful eventually. Also, if I can perfect my outswing and combine it with 140Kph speed, then I can be more successful against any batsman. I expect to make these changes in the next two to three months.
"Your fans and supporters will always feel disappointed if you aren’t doing well," said Bhatti.
"I have debuted in all formats of the game and there were some games where my confidence took a beating.
"I am trying very hard to fix these issues and all I need is one or two good matches which should help me in achieving my potential. I am biding my time and working hard on my bowling and God willing, just like a batsman who needs one good innings to get back into form, I am looking for that one good spell to get me going again. Head coach Waqar Younis is also helping me in this regard and I will prove myself whenever I next get a chance to represent Pakistan."
Bhatti said that being an attacking bowler can be difficult at times against batsmen.
"I am an attacking bowler and you do go for runs sometimes when you attack," said the 23-year-old.
"But, you must also realize that you cannot take wickets without being an attacking bowler. You can examine the bowling records of any top-class fast bowlers such as Waqar, Shoaib Akhtar or Brett Lee and you will note that runs do flow when the intent is to attack the batsman.
He gave Wahab Riaz's example saying that one good spell of fast-bowling against Shane Watson in the World Cup has changed the left-arm pacer for good.
"As you can see with Wahab, his confidence level has sky-rocketed after that spell against Shane Watson in the 2015 World Cup. Apart from that, Wahab has also put the fear in the minds of the batsmen that he is quick even though he had been bowling at similar speeds before as well."
Furthermore, Bhatti was optimistic that he could regain his form for which he was selected in the Pakistan team in the first place.
"I recall that in my season in First-Class cricket which really introduced me to the world as a good player, I took 85 wickets and was bowling so well that I could have run in with my eyes closed and taken wickets. I am working towards gaining this type of form again and hoping that I will not disappoint my fans," he said.
Bilawal added that, he had been advised by Waqar to bowl with the new ball and work on his length.
"One important area I have been asked to attend to is the length of my deliveries, especially when it comes to bowling with the new ball. In addition, Waqar has also asked me to work on the grip and try out a new one he has suggested.
"Coming back to the length of my deliveries, in domestic cricket, I have been bowling with the older ball but recently in the past few games, I have bowled with the new ball also. Waqar’s view is for me to keep on trying and working hard on the length aspect with the new ball and I will be successful eventually. Also, if I can perfect my outswing and combine it with 140Kph speed, then I can be more successful against any batsman. I expect to make these changes in the next two to three months.