Shaheen dismisses concerns over Pakistan pacers’ declining speed

Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has defended the national team’s fast bowlers amid concerns over a drop in pace, attributing the issue to a demanding cricket schedule and the physical toll of continuous competition.

Speaking ahead of Pakistan’s three-match ODI series against Australia, the left-arm quick said fast bowlers require proper recovery and workload management to perform at their peak. He compared bowlers to machines that need regular maintenance to maintain efficiency and intensity.

“Fast bowlers have played a significant amount of cricket. When players are well-rested and fresh, they can naturally generate more pace and energy,” Shaheen said, adding that the team remains committed to improving its performance.

Responding to questions about his own speed, Shaheen jokingly remarked that he would try to bowl at 200 kilometres per hour, drawing laughter.

Focus shifts to Australia series

Pakistan’s pace attack came under scrutiny after the team’s recent 2-0 Test series defeat in Bangladesh, where the bowlers struggled to consistently trouble batters with high speeds. The series was Pakistan’s second successive Test whitewash against Bangladesh.

Despite the criticism, Shaheen expressed confidence in the squad’s preparations for the Australia series. He said a training camp in Lahore, attended by nearly 30 players under head coach Mike Hesson and the national selectors, had helped the team regain rhythm in the 50-over format.

The Pakistan skipper noted that limited ODI cricket in recent months had made the camp particularly important and said the players were optimistic about delivering strong performances.

Shaheen also welcomed the return of Babar Azam to the ODI setup after the former captain missed the Bangladesh series earlier this year. Describing Babar as the backbone of Pakistan’s middle order, he praised the batter’s recent form and expressed hope that his performances in the Pakistan Super League and Test cricket would carry over into the upcoming series.

“He remains a key player for Pakistan and we expect him to continue producing match-winning performances,” Shaheen said.