Naseer Jamali always seems to have a smile on his face, has an infectious laugh, is a popular teammate and is easy to work with out in the middle. But all that masks a competitive left arm fast bowler who has modeled his run up and style on Pakistan pace man Wasim Akram.

By Peter Simunovich

Naseer Jamali always seems to have a smile on his face, has an infectious laugh, is a popular teammate and is easy to work with out in the middle. But all that masks a competitive left arm fast bowler who has modeled his run up and style on Pakistan pace man Wasim Akram.

“My nickname is Wasim,” a smiling Naseer, 19, told DreamCricket.com in an interview.

“I have followed him since I was eight years old. He is my idol. I like everything about him. I modeled my run up, action and style on Wasim. I began with a 16-step run just like him, but then coaches said I should have a 28-step run for a better rhythm.”

Over a period of time, Naseer made some adjustments and now he has a 20-step run up --- his action and style are still modeled on Wasim.”

While Naseer, who moved to the United States from Peshawar in Pakistan five years ago, is well liked he enjoys bowling short to a batsman, “but not a lot,” he quickly adds.

“It puts a bit fear in the batsmen and then the next ball you bowl can be a yorker and you might get a wicket,” said Naseer, who recently represented the North West Region Under 19 team, which won the national championship.

Being a left arm fast bowler also gives him an edge because of his action. North West Region wicketkeeper Saami Siddiqui says: “He keeps batsmen guessing and he can bowl in and out swingers. I   enjoy keeping to him. He has very good control and it makes it easier for me. I trust him and he doesn’t mind listening to advice.”

Shiva Vashishat, the North West region Under 19 captain, said: “He is always ready to fire with the new ball and he brings heat. He is always attacking batsmen and he does not have a defensive mind.”

As a player, Naseer is a team player and is easy to work with, said Shiva. “He bowls to a plan and follows instructions --- we’re on the same page and this makes it so much easier for the captain,” he said.

Naseer has yet to be officially timed while bowling, but players acknowledge that he can deliver a ball in the 80 mph range. His rise to being one of the best young quicks in the country is a testament to his dedication because it was only 18 months ago that he began playing with a hard ball.

“I played with a taped tennis ball in Pakistan where it is the big thing and when I first came here,” he said. When he was introduced to playing with a hardball he liked the new method, but went through a difficult transition period.

“All my teammates helped me get through it,” he said.

Like most fast bowlers Naseer enjoys bowling a bouncer, it is a weapon the pace men like to keep up their sleeve. When pressed about his favorite delivery, he said: “I prefer to bowl line and length on the off stump. I can also bowl in and out swingers, mainly out.”

Saami said that Naseer also possessed a “very good late swinger,” which can always cause problems for the batsmen.

During the Under 19 tournament, Naseer and Saamu quickly developed a solid friendship that has carried over post tournament. They now email or call each other with the conversation centering on cricket and how they are preparing for their next match.

In baseball, some pitchers have a preferred catcher who they are most comfortable with in exchanging signs. When asked about his favorite wicketkeeper, he said: “I think I would pick Saami every time. He can read the batsmen, passes on information and encourages me after every ball. He never drops the ball whether it is wide or not. He is really athletic.”

A law student, Naseer has little spare time. He works to help him get through college, competes on Saturdays when he and three others drive about three hours to Vancouver, Canada, to play with the Centurions Cricket Club and on Sundays he bowls for the Patriots Cricket Club in the North West Cricket Association.

He also plays basketball and baseball as a pitcher, but his priorities are his law studies, his main plan B is cricket. “I have a passion for it. In baseball, I usually throw a straight ball. I like baseball, but it isn’t as much fun as cricket,” he said.

Saami admires Naseer’s ability to bowl long spells and was still better than effective late in an innings with an old ball.

“I first met him at a North West tournament where he caught everyone’s eye. He bonded well with everyone and he always has a smile on his face and is laughing. He is very popular,” said Saami.

“Another thing is that he likes fielding and is good at it. He fields at point and he is an asset.”

Naseer’s friendly personality makes an impact with most people he meets and, says Shiva, “he is team player” and mixes well with everyone.

Shiva recalled that Naseer even smiled when he beat a batsman while bowling during the Under 19 tournament. “Most of the players had not seen that before and we wondered why he did it. We would make fun of him, but he was good about it. He is a good guy.”