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Reverse swing tips from Akram working well for Mohammed Shami

With a sensational performance against West Indies Mohammed Shami has certainly made his Test debut quite memorable for himself.

Zee Media Bureau/Chaitan Papnai
Kolkata: With a sensational performance against West Indies Mohammed Shami has certainly made his Test debut quite memorable for himself. It’s special in more than one way. Foremost reason is undoubtedly his match-winning performance, as he scalped nine wickets in his first Test match. But apart from that, he made his debut at Kolkata, a state he represents while playing Ranji Trophy. Apart from that, Shami luckily plays for the Kolkata franchise as well in the Indian Premier League – Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The reverse swing that helped Shami to impress everyone on his Test debut was a result of playing for the KKR side. While playing for KKR, Shami had sharpened the craft of reverse swinging the ball and that too from the master of the art - Wasim Akram – who had been the bowling mentor for the franchise. While talking to media, Shami admitted that the Pakistan bowling legend Wasim Akram has made him a better bowler. “The small things that he`s (Akram) taught me have made me a better bowler. Things like bowling with the old ball, reversing it and maintaining it, which line to bowl when you`re trying to reverse-swing the ball. He`s taught me a lot when it comes to using the white ball,” stated Shami. Without a doubt while watching Shami bowling those reverse swinging deliveries with a deadly effect, Akram must be a happy man. So are the Indian fans.