Afghanistan off-spinner Mohammad Nabi's inclusion in the playing XI has proved to be a masterstroke for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). 34-year-old Nabi has spun an unbreachable web around batsmen in SRH's last two IPL 2019 matches against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals, as he delivered with two very fine spells of 4/11 and 2/21 respectively.
"I do nothing different. I play my natural cricket. It is just that the conditions are different, so I adjust to the conditions as soon as possible," said Nabi himself after doing really well versus Delhi at the post-match press conference on Thursday (April 4).
Nabi, along with Rashid Khan and Mujeeb Ur Rahman, form arguably the best limited overs spin attack in the world for Afghanistan. This trinity has been equally good when spread across different teams in various T20 leagues. They have been fantastic in the Indian Premier League for sure.
"We have been playing together for the last three years for the team, so we wait for our chance and give more than 100 per cent," Nabi added. "The important thing is to read the batsmen, what is he doing. If he is looking to score runs then you can't bowl the same ball again. It comes automatically with experience."
"We have been already successful in Australia at Big Bash. That's why they pick us. The main thing is to adjust to the conditions. Here most of the times, the condition is such that the ball is turning. In Australia, it is totally different, there is bounce and not that much turning, so you have to stick to your line and look for dot balls."
Nabi has always been as an excellent defensive bowling option. His flexible approach - those last minute changes in trajectory, angle and speed at the point of his delivery stride - despite locking horns with some rampaging batsmen is an example for all young specialist finger-spinners to follow in today's world.
"My strategy is always that when I get to bowl after 10 overs, I look for dot balls because it creates pressure and then Rashid and Mujeeb can get wickets from the other end," he said. "Sometimes, you can't get the variation, sometimes you lose concentration, so when we play together in the national team or any other team, you have to make him understand, what is the batsmen doing, what field you need to set."
"If you try for more dot balls then the batsmen will make mistakes. If you run after wickets, you will get hit more. Rashid is a different spinner than other leg-spinners. He is quick through the air and he is sharp and his googlies are not read well by the batsmen, so they want to stay on strike and make mistakes," Nabi concluded.
(Inputs from PTI)
