Perhaps we have understood the concept of talent giving it our own realities. Or maybe we’ve been viewing it a bit too mistakenly or erroneously. Maybe, the time has come to set the bar straight surrounding the real definition of talent.
Perhaps it may not be wrong to say that the actual definition of talent, one notes, is not that it’s the skill that leads to magnificent earnings or careers; rather it’s the skill with which you also spot other talents around.
And where the latter definition comes to light, then you are bound to quote the example of a certain Shoaib Akhtar. Ever since the great Pakistani speedster, clearly the fastest on his day, took the plunge towards retirement, it’s fascinating to note, he’s been in closer proximity to the game than he ever was.
Committing himself to the cause of reforming and shaping whatever talent he could find around him and anything impressive he would cast his eye upon, Shoaib Akhtar has been very vocal and forthright about rallying behind cricketing talent wherever he could find.
There’ve been several videos in which he’s openly pleaded the establishment of Pakistani cricket back in his homeland about getting him involved in the process of honing and developing the next-generation of fast bowlers and athletes.
Alas, he’s been able to find little success on that note. Given the various run-ins with the cricket board involving controversy and dramatic developments during the course of his own career, there’s not an awful lot that Shoaib Akhtar has been able to succeed or contend with.
But none of that has stopped his enthusiasm to be vocal and appreciative about the talents around him, regardless of their background, nationality or lineage or teams.
In that regard, the man famously described as the “Rawalpindi Express” has come in full support of the man whose fast bowling exploits has got an entire India talking and talking with much enthusiasm: Umran Malik.
So the key question here is, just what did Shoaib Akhtar have to say about Umran Malik, currently setting the IPL on fire with his backbreaking fast paced bowling:
“I want to see him have a long career. A few days ago, someone was congratulating me as it’s been 20 years since I bowled the fastest delivery but no one has been able to break the record. But I said, ‘There must be someone who can smash this record’. I will be happy if Umran breaks my record. But he needs to ensure that he doesn’t get injured in the process. I want to see him playing for a long stretch without any injuries.”
I want to see him on the world stage as he belongs there. At present, there are not many people who can cross the 150 kmph mark. We have seen that Umran has been bowling consistently at that pace. I want Umran to that 100-mph mark at the back of his mind. I will be happy if he enters the 100-mph club. But he has to stay away from injuries which can halt his career!”
The above told, while there is little surprise that the stump-crushing fast bowling find from Jammu and Kashmir has received massive support from the country, there have also been talks about how breaking into the national cricket team of India is anything but an easy task. And whilst there’s little doubt that Umran Malik can succeed on that front, what he will be required to do, something also suggested keenly by the likes of Mohd. Shami, would be prolong his career by being an effective seamer.
This, of course, would mean keeping the injury count on the lesser side, which sadly is something that most fast bowlers easily fall prey to.