It’s a debate that has gone on for the better part of several decades. How does Pakistan always manage to produce a steady stream of fast bowlers? And why is India unable to do so consistently? Everyone has a theory (and most people have several) but we decided to ask some of the best fast bowlers out there, on what they thought. Part I features Shoaib Akhtar, in his own inimitable style!

‘If you give me Shami, Umesh and Varun Aaron for three months, I’ll make them Terminators or the Hulks ’

Shoaib Akhtar explains how Indian fast bowlers have all the pace and talent that they need. In his opinion, they simply need a change in attitude, better training on how to be a fast bowler, and the ability to ‘out-think’ a batsman.

‘Indian fast bowlers have pace, but don’t have the art of taking wickets’

In this video, Shoaib Akhtar explains how he was lucky to have Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis at mid-on and mid-off, and how Indian fast bowlers don’t have a mentor along those lines. He also talks about how the laws have changed to make the game more batsman-friendly, and how they are detrimental to fast bowlers’ success. Finally, he talks about how Indian fast bowlers don’t read the opposing batsmen clearly. A must watch!

‘Shami knows how to bowl with the new ball, which Pakistani bowlers never knew much about. We knew how to bowl with the old ball’

Mohammed Shami has made a triumphant return to the Indian T20 squad. Did you know though, that Shoaib Akhtar gave him a few pointers? Here, Shoaib talks about Shami’s run-up, training methods and ability to bowl with the new ball.

‘When we had to bowl on flat tracks, we’d wait for the ball to get old, and then run through the batting order!’

Most people blame India’s lack of fast bowling resources on the flat pitches we have at home. However, Pakistan too has flat pitches – and continues to produce champion fast bowlers. Here, Shoaib Akhtar explains how to bowl on a flat pitch. A must watch for fast bowling enthusiasts!

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Chinmay is the founder-editor of The Ring Side View. Follow him on Facebook HERE and on Twitter @chinmaybhogle