Mumbai, Feb 1: Pacer Atif Attarwala’s contribution with the bat in the first innings of the Cooch Behar Under-19 final against Maharashtra helped Mumbai lift the trophy at the Wankhede Stadium. Playing his last U-19 season, Attarwala displayed great maturity grafting runs as wickets fell in a heap at the other end. His second-innings 47 was valuable in consolidating Mumbai’s lead and ensuring a win. The left-arm pacer is keen to meet his idol Zaheer Khan and gather a few tips from him.

Excerpts from Attarwala’s post-match interview with bcci.tv:

On the significance of his fifty in the first innings

There is a lot of pride in playing for Mumbai. Scoring fifty runs, the situation demanded me to stay at the wicket. I did it and am feeling very happy. I did it for Mumbai. The final is a special game. I was just playing according to the merit of the ball – I didn’t play any rash shot. I was just thinking about staying at the wicket and scoring runs.

On whether he was a bowler who bats

I am a fast bowler but I am doing a bit with the bat. I have been developing my batting recently.

On not being amongst the wickets in the final

I took a four-for in the semifinal but it didn’t happen this time.

On how the season has been for him

The boys played really well this season. We were playing as a unit. All the bowlers and batsmen contributed. The tailenders also contributed runs so it was a good journey. [Personally] this was a crucial year for me. I had to perform this year and I did.

On whether he focusses on pace or movement

Basically I am a swing bowler so I concentrate on my swing, not pace. But if I am bowling well, I concentrate on pace also.

On the way forward

I still have to work on my basics. […] I will work on my inswing, my weapon. I will work on it and some variations like the slower one.

On working on his fitness as a fast bowler

I work on it on match-days also. A lot of lower-body exercises during off-season and other exercises like core training, etc. Being a fast bowler, you need to do everything.

On his idol

Zaheer Khan [is my idol]. I have not really met him but I have seen him bowl. I will meet him now. I want to learn about mental processes from him; what he thinks about while preparing for the game and what he does during the game. Sometimes I try to copy his action but I can’t so I am bowling with my action.

On his background

I started playing cricket five years back. I am from Boisar. Rohit Sharma’s coach Dinesh Lad saw me when I was playing a class tournament and called me to Swami Vivekananda School, Borivali. From there I went to play for a club and then played the Giles Shield and performed well. He then called and asked if I wanted to join that school and he got me admission on scholarship. The school director Patel Sir also gave me a scholarship. Lad Sir is like a second dad. I stayed at his place for five years. […] I always act on his advice.