I Am Still Pinching Myself: Zahoor Khan Excited After Sharing Bowling Tips With Jasprit Bumrah

Zahoor Khan, the United Arab Emirates fast bowler, might have missed out on selection in the 2020 Indian Premier League but the pacer is relishing his time as a net bowler for the defending champions Mumbai Indians in the ongoing season of the cash-rich league.

Khan, who has displayed his precocious ability to bowl the slower ball, recently completed his mandatory quarantine before joining the Mumbai Indians set-up in the nets. Speaking to ANI, Zahoor Khan revealed how he was taken aback after ace fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah asked him the secret behind his brilliant slower ball and the applause that he got from the Mumbai Indians think-tank including bowling coach Shane Bond and head coach Mahela Jayawardene.

“I am still pinching myself. Bumrah asked me how do I manage to bowl the slower ball with so much dew around. I discussed my technique with him. Imagine one of the best bowlers in the world asking me about adapting to the conditions in UAE. The feeling is yet to sink in as I never expected such a thing to happen.” Zahoor Khan told ANI.

“In fact, bowling coach Shane Bond and head coach Mahela Jayawardene too liked what they saw when I hit the nets on the eve of the RCB game. Bond was telling me that I should share the secret of my slower delivery with him. These are the little joys that can never be replaced. After I shared my technique, he turned to our head coach and applauded me,” he added.

 

Zahoor Khan had shared nets with Jasprit Bumrah back in 2014

This is not the first time that Zahoor Khan has shared the nets with Bumrah. He did the same back in 2014 when the Indian pacer was taking baby steps in IPL cricket.

“We were at the team dinner after I finished my quarantine and I reminded Bumrah that I had bowled with him at the MI nets in 2014. Would you believe he remembered it and that brought a smile to my face,” he said.

Zahoor Khan also heaped praise on Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma for the way he welcomed the fast bowler and made his feel comfortable in the set-up. He also thanked all-rounder Hardik Pandya for the same.

First day I walk into the training ground, he is in the dressing room. So, he sees me and says feel comfortable and enjoy yourself. I show some confidence and ask him if I can sit next to him. He said the whole dressing room was mine and I could sit anywhere I want. This is what makes you stand out as a human being.” Khan said.

“Similarly, Hardik Bhai (Pandya) came up to me and checked on me. Asked me if all was going well and I could only smile and thank him for checking on me. It has been a wonderful start to the journey and I hope to absorb as much as I can in this period from some of the best in the business,” he added.

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