Pakistan's obsession for a fast-bowling hero

Junaid Khan bowled an impressive opening spell against India, getting four of the top-order batsmen out cheaply. Osman Samiuddin, in the National, says that the burden of hype and hope that surrounds a prospective new fast-bowling hero in Pakistan does more harm than good, and that Junaid should be freed of it.

In many ways it is a heavier burden to wear in Pakistan than that of the captain; those guys come and go but a genuine paceman? Fast bowling is too important a thing to be left to mere humans. He is after all the real hero, the one who will win you matches, save that cat, marry your daughter, sort out the economy, eradicate poverty and terrorism and then go to sleep for the night.