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http://cricket.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1373015.cms

I've transformed Shabbir: Sarfraz

BOBILLI VIJAY

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

LAHORE: When it comes to Pakistan's former fast bowler, Sarfraz Nawaz, there's always the temptation to take his words with a pinch of salt. Even if he's simply carrying out a simple task assigned by his own Board, and is only helping out a compatriot.

On Sunday afternoon, he was at the National Cricket Academy, working on suspended fast bowler Shabbir Ahmed's suspect action.

"I have been with him since the 5th of this month, apart from a couple of days' break for Eid. I can tell you that I have transformed Shabbir into a new bowler. I am confident that when the ICC panel takes up his case on January 21 in Dubai, he will be cleared. I am trying to get him ready for the ODI against India in Peshawar," he said. "Believe me, in a few months, people will stop talking about Akhtar. He and Akhtar will be a major force together," he said.

Explaining the fast bowler's problem, who has been called for suspect action as many as four different times and is currently facing a one-year suspension, Sarfraz said that it was mainly genetic.

"Bio-mechanical analysis has shown that he has a 16-degree bend in his elbow. Because of that the ICC has given him a 25-degree leeway. But one of his videos showed that the bend was 27-degree in match situations, especially when he's tiring or trying to bowl bouncers or yorkers. I have rectified all. I have remodelled most of his action," he said.

"I've got him to get his hand to rotate a little far away from his body; I've even increased his hand rotation and ensured that his fingers are nice and firm at the top of his delivery. All this has ensured that he can now bowl faster with a clean action," he explained.