09 January 2004	Friday	16 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 8: Fast bowler Muhammad Sami, now touring New Zealand with the Pakistan team, says he would reach his prime fitness in a few years and that he was also shedding his tendency to bowl no-balls.

"When I started representing Pakistan I had the opportunity to work with Daryl Foster, who was hired as the bowling coach for a short stint", Sami said in an interview.

"He didn't have any problems with my action, but we worked on my run-up which was causing me to bowl too many no-balls. The jump I was taking was forcing my front foot to land a bit over the crease. But now I am improving steadily", said the fast bowler who came in for criticism for bowling too many no-balls in the drawn first Test against New Zealand in the recently-concluded two-match series.

To a question about the secret behind his pace, he said:"It's about power and not the muscle. With my bowling action I don't need to worry much about the muscle. I know I am not completely fit, but in a couple of years' time I will be at my peak".

He was also asked to comment on bowling companion Shoaib Akhter, as the two are fastest bowling combination in the world. "It's nice to bowl in tandem with the fastest bowler in the world. We discuss things in the build-up to the match and talk a lot during the game to work out strategies".-APP