Perth: Afghanistan’s 6ft 2in left-arm pacer Shapoor Zadran — a Shoaib Akhtar wannabe — is a delight to talk to about his cricket.
After bowling his heart out in the nets at the WACA on Monday as preparation for his team’s match against the mighty Australians on Wednesday, he took a moment to sit outside the dressing room.
When Gulf News approached him for his thoughts, he quickly said: “We want big support from all Afghans in the UAE. It is everybody’s support and prayers that has helped us perform at our best so far in the World Cup.”
Pushing back his long hair and smiling, he added: “We have won one match and really hope to keep winning.”
It was Zadran who played a pivotal role in Afghanistan’s first win in their debut World Cup, which came over Scotland. He produced a four-wicket spell and the No. 11 batsman also scored an invaluable 12 runs to see his team to a one-wicket win.
He narrowly missed out on the man of the match award due to Samiullah Shenwari’s knock of 96.
Recalling the Scotland match, he said: “My partner Hamid Hassan kept telling me to take singles and not play the big shots, but the pressure was too much. I am so happy that our whole country watched that moment and I was told there was no traffic on the roads in my country that day since everyone was watching the match.”
Zadran idolises former Pakistan pacer Akhtar.
“I have become a fast bowler copying Akhtar — starting from my run to my long hair — I have tried to imitate Akhtar in every way. From a very young age I loved to take a run-up of 38 steps and bowl like him. Even my six-year-old son Mohammad imitates Akhtar and has grown long hair like him. People say ‘like father like son’.”
While Zadran relishes playing tense matches, he hates to get nervous.
“I am going to sleep well and not think of how to bowl against Australia. I hope to come out that day and bowl my best,” said Zadran, who is a great fan of Bollywood movies and watches them to relax.
“My favourite actor is Shah Rukh Khan. I am also able to relax while praying and doing Islamic studies.”
When asked how it was to be one of the most popular people in Afghanistan right now, Zadran said: “I am so happy I decided to play cricket. Today I am known all over the world. Maybe I am also popular because of my height and hairstyle.”
“In Afghanistan, everyone is fond of speed and hitting sixes.”
Zadran hails from a big family of six sisters and four brothers. “One of my brothers Ghamai Zadran plays for the Afghanistan A team. He is a batsman, not a bowler like me.”
When asked whether he would try to reduce his speed to remain fitter, Zadran said: “If my fitness is good, I will bowl fast, but if my coach suggests I bowl slow then I will focus on the off stump. I also know that if I bowl too fast without control, batsmen will hit me for a six.
“I am learning a lot from this World Cup. I saw the New Zealand-Australia match. I am big fan of [Mitchell] Starc, who also bowls left-arm.”
On Wednesday, it will interesting to see which of the two left-arm pacers steals the thunder on the WACA wicket.
