Shaheen Afridi on Pakistan quicks losing speed: ‘Machines deteriorate with time’ – Shaheen Afridi Addresses Pakistan Fast Bowling Pace Concerns

The Quest for Pace: Pakistan’s Fast Bowling Dilemma

For generations, Pakistan has been synonymous with express fast bowling. From the golden era of Imran Khan and Wasim Akram to the fearsome spells of Shoaib Akhtar, the nation has prided itself on producing bowlers who could terrorize batters with sheer velocity. However, a recent shift in trajectory has triggered alarm bells across the country’s cricket fraternity. The current crop of fast bowlers is under intense scrutiny, not just for their results, but for a noticeable decline in their ability to bowl at the high speeds that once defined Pakistan’s bowling identity.

Ahead of the upcoming series opener against Australia in Rawalpindi, Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi provided a candid assessment of the situation. The National Cricket Academy (NCA) is currently drafting comprehensive plans to address this trend, as the team struggles to consistently challenge opponents with the pace required to take twenty wickets in Test matches.

The Statistical Reality

The issue came into sharp focus during the recent Test series against Bangladesh. While Bangladesh bowlers consistently hit the high 130s and mid-140s kph, Pakistan’s speed merchants were often relegated to the mid-120s and early 130s. This speed deficit was a critical factor in Pakistan’s 0-2 series defeat, highlighting a gap that the management is eager to bridge.

Shaheen Afridi, once the spearhead of the attack, has himself grappled with this issue. Since his return from a significant knee injury in 2022, his ability to sustain 140kph has fluctuated. The impact on his effectiveness has been stark; after a career-defining start where he claimed 99 wickets at an average of 24.86, his subsequent 27 wickets have come at an average exceeding 40. This decline led to his omission from the Sylhet Test and the second Rawalpindi encounter against Bangladesh in 2024.

‘Machines Deteriorate with Time’

Addressing the criticism, Afridi offered a philosophical and practical perspective on the physical demands of international cricket. He pointed out that the constant cycle of matches leaves little room for the body to recover, which is essential for maintaining top-tier speed.

“It is a norm that machines deteriorate with time,” Afridi stated. “We are trying to recharge ourselves. You can put more pace in the ball when your body has had rest, but our bodies remain always at Pakistan’s disposal. All the bowlers are thinking about how they can increase their speeds.”

Afridi noted that the success of younger bowlers, like Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana, should be viewed differently. Because these players are still relatively fresh in their international careers, their bodies have not yet endured the same cumulative workload as Pakistan’s established pacers. To manage this, the NCA is working on load management strategies, rotating players between formats to ensure they remain fresh and capable of hitting peak performance levels.

Strategic Changes and Future Planning

Beyond the bowling speed concerns, the team is looking toward the future. With the ODI World Cup 16 months away, selectors are focusing on widening the player pool. This strategy has led to the inclusion of uncapped youngsters like Rohail Nazir, Arafat Minhas, and Ahmed Danyal, while welcoming back stalwarts such as Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan.

A significant talking point has been the omission of Mohammad Rizwan from the ODI setup. Despite being one of Pakistan’s most consistent batters—tallying 891 runs at an average of 42.42 in this cycle—Rizwan has faced pressure following a lean patch in Test cricket. Afridi, however, urged patience, dismissing the idea that Rizwan’s international career is over.

“I would suggest you not to jump to conclusions,” Afridi remarked. “Babar and I were also dropped from the team but we are back. It is important to give opportunities to youngsters ahead of the World Cup so there is a larger pool of players to select from.”

As Pakistan prepares for the remaining ODIs in Lahore, the focus remains twofold: developing a deeper bench of talent and carefully managing the workload of the senior fast bowlers. Whether these efforts will restore the fire and fury that Pakistan’s pace attack is historically known for remains one of the most compelling narratives in contemporary cricket.