Mohammad Azharuddin Recalls Zaheer Abbas' Tips Which Transformed His Career

Mohammad Azharuddin, former Indian captain, recently revealed an instance where formed Pakistani legendary batsman Zaheer Abbas’s tips helped him revive his batting form.

Azharuddin was going through a lean patch during the 1989 tour of Pakistan. It was during a practice session in Karachi where a conversation with Zaheer Abbas, who had advised him to change his batting grip, that proved to be the clincher for the former Indian captain

“I was not sure about being selected for the Pakistan tour in 1989 as I was struggling badly for form. I remember in Karachi, Zaheer bhai came to the ground to watch us practice. He asked me why I was getting out early. I told him my problems and he suggested I change my grip a bit,” Mohammad Azharuddin told Cricket Pakistan as quoted by PTI.

“Since I had nothing to lose and he had come himself to the ground and gave me this advice I said why not give it a try. The moment I changed my grip I felt more comfortable and confident and started playing freely. Eventually, it also helped me become a more aggressive batsman.” he added.

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Mohammad Azharuddin did an encore of what Zaheer Abbas had done to him when he helped a struggling Younis Khan

27 years later, Azharuddin did what Zaheer Abbas had done back in 1989. Seeing Younis Khan struggle during the 2016 tour of England, Azhar called Khan and advised him to play close to his body and from inside the crease.

The advice did wonders for Younis as he went on to smash a brilliant double century in the next Test at the Oval to help Pakistan draw level the series 2-2.

“He looked ugly in his batting and I felt bad that such a good batsman should play so ungainly. I knew him so I called him up and advised him to stay in the crease and try to play close to the body from inside the crease,” Azharuddin recalled.

“I am just happy he took my advice and went on to score a double century in the final Test at the Oval.” he added.

Post getting his double-hundred, Younis Khan had publically revealed in the post-match presentation how Mohammad Azharuddin’s advice helped him script a turnaround.

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