Tanzim working on new run-up to generate more pace

Bangladesh assistant coach Mohammad Salahuddin feels that Tanzim Hasan Shakib can increase his pace by working on his run-up. In the recent past, Salahuddin was seen working with the right-arm pace bowler to fix his run-up at the BCB academy premises inbetween his net sessions with Legend of Rupganj, a club he is representing in the ongoing Dhaka Premier League, the country's traditional list A tournament.

"To generate force you need to have some key factors, one of them is that when you are eyeing to have pace you have to accelerate and not de-accelerate and what I feel about Shakib after seeing his run-up is that at the last moment he de-accelerates," Salahuddin told reporters when his attention was drawn regarding his one-to-one session with Shakib, considered to be an integral part of Bangladesh's white-ball set-up.

"It (de-acceleration) is the reason why his pace might have been reduced from 1-to 2 kmph. If his acceleration is ok during his run-up in that case he can gain more pace," he said.

"Focusing on that like if he could bowl 2 to 3 kmph or 5 kmph. This whole thing is a process and worked step by step and among them the key factor is that the run-up should be smooth and the stepping cannot get smaller in the last minute because if the run-up is shortened it suggests you are de-accelerating and we are working on it and if he can adjust with it (new run-up) in that case his pace will be increased," he added.

When contacted, Tanzim told Cricbuzz on Sunday (March 16) that he is trying to adjust with the new run-up as he feels it will prove dividends in the long run both in generating pace as well as sharpening his swing.

"I am working towards having a smooth run-up because I feel that it is essential for me to have it in order earn success as a pace bowler," said Tanzim. "I am trying to carry same flow in the run-up from start to end because somehow it is not the same which is having an impact on my pace.

"Probably I am getting slow at the last moment during my run-up that is called de-accelerating and it is largely due to the fact I habituated bowling with that run-up and now I want to complete my run-up in the same force like I cannot reduce my force in the last minute (like I used to do before)," he said.

"I know it will take some time and I am progressing slowly because it cannot be fixed (in one day) but all I can say is that I am improving and in the recent past tried to bowl with my new run-up in the ongoing DPL," he said.

"I also feel that once my run-up is smooth it will also help me as far as swinging the ball is concerned so need to work on it as it helps me both with pace and swing," he concluded.