“Main ziddi hu ki mujhe pace dalna hai,” says a very enthusiastic Shabnam Shakil while explaining how she can clock 110 kph despite just being 16 years old.
A Jhulan Goswami fan, Shabnam stamped her authority in the WPL after she picked up three wickets for just 11 runs against UP Warriorz on Monday including the dismissals of Alyssa Healy, Chamari Athapaththu, and Shweta Sehrawat. UP were looking at an easy target of 153 but the youngster’s spell dented the Warriorz’ hopes of qualifying for the play-offs.
In an exclusive interaction with CricketNext, Shabnam talks about her cricketing journey, featuring in the WPL and maintaining a balance between cricket and studies.
Tell us about your journey. How did cricket start?
I started playing the game when I was eight. I used to play to do some physical activity and for fun, as I wasn’t that active. My father who has played club cricket in Andhra as a fast bowler introduced me to the sport. Though, he didn’t want me to pursue it professionally. Moreover, my mother doesn’t like cricket (laughs) because my father used to be busy with the game.
I started as a batter. Then I began with bowling and I got emotionally attached to fast bowling.
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From whom did you get your first fast bowling lessons?
I practice with Nagaraju Sir. But, as I said, I told my father that I wanted to be a fast bowler, so he used to make me watch different fast bowlers like Brett Lee, Shoaib Akhtar, and Jasprit Bumrah. Later, Nagaraju sir worked on my bowling, technique, and skills.
How has been the experience of playing WPL?
I’m enjoying myself playing this season’s WPL. See, I started playing cricket because I used to enjoy it. So, I just want to continue that. The environment here is very good. We have a good understanding with the foreign players as well and I get to learn a lot from all of them. It’s going well. I share a good bond with all the players.
Gujarat Giants coach Michael Klinger has been very impressed with your bowling. Talk to us about the role that he has given you in the side.
Michael Klinger has given me a very clear picture of my role in the side. I came close to playing in the Bengaluru leg but the combination of the team was such that I wasn’t able to play then. As I said, I had clarity regarding my role in the team. He used to give me targets in the practice sessions. We used to have match simulations. He used to keep me well-prepared for the matches.
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You stamped your authority with the ball in this edition after picking up three wickets for 11 runs against UP Warriorz. Did you follow any specific strategy?
In the first place, Beth (Mooney) had informed me that I would be opening the bowling in the game. I was very happy and excited that I would be bowling with a new ball. I was waiting to bowl with the new ball because I generally come as the first change. I was just sticking to the team’s plan and executing that.
How do you see WPL as an opportunity for youngsters to showcase their talent?
Yes definitely, the WPL has served as a good platform for the players and has provided many opportunities. It’s also a great opportunity for me as well. I would like to thank Gujarat Giants for keeping faith in me. It’s a good chance for me to level up my game.
Your bowl at a very quick pace. Do you follow any specific drills to maintain that?
Main ziddi hu ki mujhe pace dalna hai. Pace is something that I focus on. Mainly, I have an aggressive run-up and that is an advantage for me to generate pace. I want to improve my skillset as much as I can. Also, my coach has just told me one thing that fast bowler means bowling fast. I will tell you a story.
We were having a meeting with some other coaches once. They thought that I should focus more on my swing bowling than pace. I have a good in-swinger. So, they wanted me to focus more on that.
Honestly, I didn’t feel good about it and I had a chat about this with my father. He further had a conversation about it with my coach. The next day during the nets, my coach came to me and asked Tu kya hai? I replied I’m a fast bowler. To which he replied fast to naam mein hi hai. That was one thing that got stuck in my mind I had to bowl fast.
You idolise Jhulan Goswami. Did you ever get a chance to meet and interact with her?
Yes. I got a chance to talk to her during this season. I was playing my second match against them. It was that time when she came and met me herself. She praised me and I felt good about it.
I also had a chat with Shabnam Ismail. She asked me to concentrate on bowling quickly.
Lastly, how do you manage cricket and studies together?
Definitely, like all other parents, my mom and dad also tell me to focus on my studies. The first edition of the WPL happened after the Under-19 World Cup. After the season ended, I had my Class X boards. I was preparing for that and there came a time when I thought, ‘Cricket is easier’ (laughs). But I cleared the exams with 66 per cent just by studying for a week. I’m the youngest one in the team. Everyone tells me that I should also focus on my studies.
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