Allow Pathan do things his own way: Andy Roberts

Former West Indies pace bowler Andy Roberts says India should draw lesson from their early exit in the World Cup and redraw their priorities and planning.

One of the spearheads of Clive Lloyd's pace quarter that shook the cricket world in the seventies and eighties, Roberts is now a national selector.

He feels very strongly about how Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has been ground down.

According to him, the undue expectations and pressure has adversely effected Pathan's progress.

''He is still a young man and has a long way to go, provided you give him the space to do so,'' Roberts said on the sidelines of a promotional event at the Stanford Cricket Club here today.

''He is under so much pressure from public expectations and the media that he has completely lost focus. You should be helping the young man at such a difficult time in his career. Frankly, I was surprised that he did not play in a single game here,'' Roberts, who has a career-haul of 202 wickets from 47 Tests and 87 scalps in 56 one-dayers, said.

Roberts is today a respected voice in Caribbean cricket.

He may not have the high-profile status of Vivian Richards but he did make a huge impact on the game in his time.

He was also surprised at India's bowling preferences.

''At the moment, Munaf Patel is your best prospect, and yet in match after match, he was used as the first change. That was surprising considering that he has the pace and control to be the spearhead, particularly in the games against Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, both of which you needed to win.

''India has a good bunch of fast bowlers and they should be nurtured and encouraged,'' he said, adding that ''they (India) should put the World Cup defeat behind them and look ahead positively for the future.'' UNI HSB PDS VV1924

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