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

The Quest for Lost Pace: Pakistan’s Fast Bowling Dilemma

For decades, Pakistan has been synonymous with express pace, producing legendary fast bowlers who could intimidate the world’s finest batters. However, a shadow has fallen over the current generation, with experts and fans alike questioning why the once-feared velocity of Pakistan’s seamers has dropped significantly. Ahead of the highly anticipated series opener against Australia in Rawalpindi, ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi addressed these concerns, revealing that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is actively devising plans to rectify the situation.

The Reality of Performance Deterioration

The recent Test series defeat to Bangladesh served as a wake-up call. Across the two matches, Pakistan’s fast bowlers struggled to hit the high-140s consistently, often hovering in the mid-120s and early 130s. In stark contrast, the Bangladesh pace attack—led by the impressive Nahid Rana—maintained a significantly higher average speed. When confronted with these figures, Shaheen Afridi offered a candid, if somewhat philosophical, perspective.

“It is a norm that machines deteriorate with time,” Afridi remarked. “We are trying to recharge ourselves.” He explained that the constant demand on Pakistan’s international players leaves little room for the recovery necessary to generate extreme pace. Unlike younger bowlers who may benefit from limited workloads, Pakistan’s senior quicks are often at the constant disposal of the national team, leading to cumulative fatigue.

Afridi’s Own Journey and Physical Toll

The captain’s own career trajectory highlights this physical struggle. Once viewed as the spearhead of the attack, Afridi’s speed has noticeably dipped since his recovery from a severe knee injury sustained in 2022. Before that fateful dive in Galle, he was a prolific wicket-taker with an average of 24.86. Since his return, the numbers have shifted, with his subsequent wickets coming at a cost of over 40 runs each. This dip in form even saw him dropped for the Sylhet Test and the second Rawalpindi Test in 2024, a testament to the brutal standards of modern professional cricket.

Afridi remains optimistic about the path forward, noting that the management is actively looking at workload distribution. “Some of our bowlers are playing Tests and the others are playing ODIs so they stay fresh. The coaches and the NCA are working on how to manage their loads,” he added. The goal is to ensure that when players represent their country, they are at their physical peak rather than in a state of exhaustion.

Mohammad Rizwan and the Vision for the Future

Beyond the concerns regarding pace, the selection panel’s decision to drop veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan from the ODI squad has caused a stir. Despite being one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers in the format, with 891 runs at an average of 42.42 in this cycle, Rizwan finds himself on the sidelines. His recent struggles in the Test format have led to speculation about his international future.

However, Shaheen Afridi is quick to dismiss the notion that Rizwan’s career is over. He emphasized the necessity of broadening the player pool ahead of the ODI World Cup, which is 16 months away. “I would suggest you not to jump to conclusions,” Afridi said. “Babar and I were also dropped from the team, but we are back. I have spoken to Rizwan about it.”

The selection of uncapped players like Rohail Nazir, Arafat Minhas, and Ahmed Danyal signals a clear strategy: the team is prioritizing long-term depth over short-term comfort. By testing new talent now, the selectors hope to build a robust squad capable of conquering the challenges of the upcoming World Cup.

Looking Ahead

As the series against Australia looms, the focus remains firmly on how Pakistan will balance the need for results with the long-term physical management of its most vital assets. Whether the “recharging” process will yield higher speeds in the upcoming matches in Lahore remains to be seen. For now, the leadership under Afridi is focused on patience, growth, and the strategic rotation of players to ensure that Pakistan’s fast bowling legacy is not just preserved, but revitalized for the years to come.