Gym improves power-hitting more than golf swing: Samit Patel

Gym improves power-hitting more than golf swing: Samit Patel

February 26, 2021
Gym improves power-hitting more than golf swing: Samit Patel / Photo: PSL

Karachi: Lahore Qalandars all-rounder Samit Patel on Thursday said that working out in gym helps a batsman improve his power-hitting skills more than playing golf.

In an exclusive interview to Geo Super, the 35-year-old disagreed with his South African teammate David Wiese, who had suggested batsmen to start playing golf in order to refine their power-hitting.

“I think the gym will obviously help more than playing golf. I mean, it's more of a mindset of relaxing than the swing of the golf swing,” he said.

“But yeah, each to their own. I don't think golf will necessarily improve your scores. I think the stronger you are, you're probably going to hit it as further.”

The English player, who has previously played for Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United in the earlier seasons of Pakistan Super League (PSL), said that Qalandars was always a good team and had star names in the roster but they were unlucky.

“I think the way we're jelling now as Qalandars is really exciting for us and the whole of the PSL league,” he said.

Read: Wiese credits Qalandars' persistence in face of failures for remarkable turnaround

Regarding his team’s good start in the ongoing edition of PSL, Patel said that Qalandars are confident to do well in the remaining matches as well and while they aim to lift the trophy this season, the team wants to play good cricket.

“We just we just want to play good cricket. Good brand of cricket and exciting cricket. I think that we have a mixture of youth and experienced players in our squad. If we end up winning it, we end up winning it, but we just want to play some good cricket,” he said.

Qalandars comfortably won their first two matches in PSL 6 so far against Peshawar Zalmi and Quetta Gladiators. “I’m really excited we've started off really well and I think that momentum is obviously a key word,” Patel said.

“I think we had some momentum when we first came back for the playoffs last year and obviously it helps when you've got similar core of overseas guys coming back for the team.”

Patel praised the security arrangements made for the tournament by the government — ensuring the players' safety.

Recalling his past experiences in PSL in pre-covid times, he said that the crowd was "loud" when he represented Islamabad — and it's always a great reception to be playing in Pakistan.

Read: Multan seek maiden victory in PSL 2021 against Lahore today

Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.

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