'The Man of the Series was a big thing for me'
Naved-ul-Hasan on the Indian tour, confidence and his father's death
Nagraj Gollapudi
20-Apr-2005
Naved-ul-Hasan, Pakistan's latest bowling trump card, is a simple soul. Frustrated at waiting for an international call, he almost gave up. But self-belief hauled him back and, at 27, he lifted the Man of the Series award in India recently after taking 15 wickets. Talking exclusively with Cricinfo, Naved speaks of his relatively late arrival, and his approach to bowling:
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Was this series a turning point in your short career?
Yes, definitely. Not only did we perform so well, but on the personal front, too, ending up as the Man of the Series was a big thing for me. It added to my confidence and proved that what I was doing was correct.
Yes, definitely. Not only did we perform so well, but on the personal front, too, ending up as the Man of the Series was a big thing for me. It added to my confidence and proved that what I was doing was correct.
How did you you trouble the Indian top order on unreponsive pitches?
I just stuck to my plan and worked accordingly. I had studied the videos of the Indian batsmen and, with the help of the captain and coach, devised a plan for each of them. And bowling a proper line and length contributed to the success.
I just stuck to my plan and worked accordingly. I had studied the videos of the Indian batsmen and, with the help of the captain and coach, devised a plan for each of them. And bowling a proper line and length contributed to the success.
You have dismissed Virender Sehwag six times in the last year, and especially troubled him with your slower ball
Sehwag, being a strokeplayer, would obviously go for his shots always. And there is always a chance that he may play too early at times against the slower one. I was just fortunate that he hasn't been able to read it so easily.
Sehwag, being a strokeplayer, would obviously go for his shots always. And there is always a chance that he may play too early at times against the slower one. I was just fortunate that he hasn't been able to read it so easily.
Was his the most-prized wicket among the Indians?
Considering that he has been the man in form, and a matchwinner, it was a precious wicket.
Considering that he has been the man in form, and a matchwinner, it was a precious wicket.
After going for plenty in your first over in an ODI, you came back to pick up three big wickets, but were dropped for the next game. How did you feel?
A lot happened during that Karachi game last year. To start with I bowled five no-balls, which was unacceptable. But I kept calm and returned to take three crucial wickets. However, the selectors opted for the established quicks. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul had been playing in the team for some time, so it was difficult to get into the side. I just told myself I had to stay patient and keep working hard.
A lot happened during that Karachi game last year. To start with I bowled five no-balls, which was unacceptable. But I kept calm and returned to take three crucial wickets. However, the selectors opted for the established quicks. Shoaib Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Shabbir Ahmed and Umar Gul had been playing in the team for some time, so it was difficult to get into the side. I just told myself I had to stay patient and keep working hard.
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When you were not selected for Pakistan's tour of New Zealand in 2000-01, you almost gave up and played club cricket in England. How did you pull yourself back?
Around that time Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were still the leading bowlers, with Akhtar and Sami acting as the support cast. So at first I was hurt, but then decided to work hard if I had to prove myself. A very good domestic season in 2003-04 helped me get into the national side. Even though I didn't get enough chances, I knew once again that I had to wait. A good performance during the VB Series helped me.
Around that time Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis were still the leading bowlers, with Akhtar and Sami acting as the support cast. So at first I was hurt, but then decided to work hard if I had to prove myself. A very good domestic season in 2003-04 helped me get into the national side. Even though I didn't get enough chances, I knew once again that I had to wait. A good performance during the VB Series helped me.
You bowled well in Australia, taking 14 wickets in that VB Series. What kind of plan did you follow there?
The conditions in Australia were more favourable, along with the fast tracks, which helped my kind of bowling. I was doing well, especially with the old ball, and the batsmen struggled.
The conditions in Australia were more favourable, along with the fast tracks, which helped my kind of bowling. I was doing well, especially with the old ball, and the batsmen struggled.
Did you get to speak to any of the Aussie quicks?
No, I didn't speak to any of the Australians. The only person I spoke to was Waqar, who was commentating. He told me to concentrate mostly on the old ball when it would take reverse swing, and his suggestion worked wonders. Back home, another former Pakistan fast bowler, Aaqib Javed, who comes from my home town of Sheikhupura, has always helped me a lot.
No, I didn't speak to any of the Australians. The only person I spoke to was Waqar, who was commentating. He told me to concentrate mostly on the old ball when it would take reverse swing, and his suggestion worked wonders. Back home, another former Pakistan fast bowler, Aaqib Javed, who comes from my home town of Sheikhupura, has always helped me a lot.
You lost your father just before the first VB Series final, but decided to stay put, at your mother's insistence. How did you deal with that?
It would have taken me a few days to reach home, and we couldn't have kept his body for so long. So my mom told me that I should stay back, as my rushing back would not be of any use. And since both my parents have been my best fans, she asked me to do well. It was really difficult to convince myself that I had to play during that final in Melbourne. But by the grace of the Almighty and my parents' wishes I put up a determined fight.
It would have taken me a few days to reach home, and we couldn't have kept his body for so long. So my mom told me that I should stay back, as my rushing back would not be of any use. And since both my parents have been my best fans, she asked me to do well. It was really difficult to convince myself that I had to play during that final in Melbourne. But by the grace of the Almighty and my parents' wishes I put up a determined fight.
Did that performance add to your confidence before this Indian trip?
People started saying that the different nature of the wickets in Australia and in India would play a major role, and I would be under pressure. It didn't really bother me as I was used to bowling on flat and unresponsive tracks back in Pakistan, too. I just needed to focus and sort the batsman out in my mind. Having studied each one's traits was handy, too.
People started saying that the different nature of the wickets in Australia and in India would play a major role, and I would be under pressure. It didn't really bother me as I was used to bowling on flat and unresponsive tracks back in Pakistan, too. I just needed to focus and sort the batsman out in my mind. Having studied each one's traits was handy, too.
So far you haven't been able to produce the same kind of form in Tests, have you?
Yes, I know that. I will need to work much harder and, hopefully, with more games I should improve.
Yes, I know that. I will need to work much harder and, hopefully, with more games I should improve.
Do you think you arrived late on the international scene?
I don't think so. You would be surprised, I took up cricket only in 1994. Before that I used to play hockey at school. But in the mid-'90s I observed cricket was the most happening game and everyone was mad about it. I decided to try my hand. And I think I did the right thing.
I don't think so. You would be surprised, I took up cricket only in 1994. Before that I used to play hockey at school. But in the mid-'90s I observed cricket was the most happening game and everyone was mad about it. I decided to try my hand. And I think I did the right thing.
What is your opinion about Pakistan hiring a bowling coach?
It would definitely help. At the moment Bob Woolmer has lot of jobs on his hands, so it would be ideal for him and us bowlers if there was another guy for guidance.
It would definitely help. At the moment Bob Woolmer has lot of jobs on his hands, so it would be ideal for him and us bowlers if there was another guy for guidance.
Nagraj Gollapudi is sub-editor of Wisden Asia Cricket