Zaman wants to emulate Malinga

RAWALPINDI: Zaman Khan wants to excel as a pacer having all the qualities to pin down opposition in the last overs.

He wants to serve his country the way Lasith Malinga did Sri Lanka.

In a media talk, Zaman said he trained hard to deliver yorkers, especially in the last overs. “All these years when I broke into the top level cricket my efforts have been to deliver in the best possible way and adopt a bowling action where I can save runs and can take wickets at crucial time. It was never an easy job to imitate Malinga’s action. You have to maintain a decent line and length besides developing your muscles for such type of bowling. I am slowly but surely, reaching a level where teams can trust me when it comes to delivering last overs.”

He said he was upset when a fine edge deprived Pakistan of victory against Sri Lanka in the Asia Cup. “That was hard luck. Before that delivery that got edge, I was well on course to take Pakistan home. This happens sometimes,” he maintained.

Zaman said while playing for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League, he always maintained a teasing line and length. “The match we won against Islamabad United was a real challenge for us as we had not won a single match till then. I kept a teasing line and length in the last overs to take the team home.”

Zaman wishes to play the same role for the country. “My effort has always been to help the team win the match. I wish to help the national team win matches with my bowling. I am working hard on my bowling. Hopefully, that day is not far when I will start playing that role for my country.”