In spite of its title, and the striking cricket ball seam graphic on the cover, The Book of Pace by Shahbaz Choudhry from The Pace Journal isn’t really a book about fast bowling.
It is a story of personal discovery, of failures and successes, of a striving to achieve. A cautionary tale, in many ways.
And all the better for not being another technically prescriptive “this is how to do it” guide to bowling faster.
It is so much more than that!
I came across The Book of Pace after seeing the video Wrist of Fury, about Shahbaz Choudhry’s work with Mohammad Hasnain, the Pakistan international fast bowler.
The painstaking work on changing the timing of Hasnain’s run up suggested a particular dedication to the art of fast bowling, and to the art of coaching.
But also a willingness to delve deeper to find a solution for the individual in front of him.
An approach that surely contributed to Hasnain’s success as Player of the Series in the 2024 Champions One Day Cup in Pakistan.
The Book of Pace is an almost meditative introduction to Shahbaz’s coaching philosophy — things happen, find a way; find your own way; beware of the rabbit holes! — that shapes his approach.
The Teesra 
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