Shaheen Afridi on Pakistan quicks losing speed: ‘Machines deteriorate with time’ – Shaheen Afridi Addresses Pakistan’s Pace Decline and Team Selection
The Quest to Restore Pakistan’s Pace Heritage
Pakistan has long been synonymous with raw, express pace. From the legendary era of Imran Khan and Wasim Akram to the fiery spells of Shoaib Akhtar, the nation has prided itself on producing bowlers who could terrorize batters with sheer velocity. However, a troubling trend has emerged recently: the speed guns are recording significantly lower figures, leaving the current generation under intense scrutiny. ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has addressed these concerns head-on, acknowledging that the National Cricket Academy (NCA) is currently devising a comprehensive plan to revitalize the bowling speeds of the squad.
A Concerning Decline
The issue of pace was highlighted during Pakistan’s disappointing 0-2 Test series loss to Bangladesh. Throughout the series, the visiting Bangladeshi bowlers frequently touched the mid-140s, while Pakistan’s quicks struggled to climb above the mid-120s or early 130s. For a team that relies on its fast bowlers to dismantle oppositions in challenging conditions, this drop in velocity has become a significant tactical disadvantage.
Shaheen Afridi himself has not been immune to this decline. Since his return from a knee injury in 2022, the left-arm pacer has struggled to find his peak speed. Once considered the spearhead of the Pakistani attack with 99 wickets at an average of 24.86, his subsequent 27 wickets have come at a cost of over 40 runs apiece, signaling a difficult transition period.
The ‘Machine’ Metaphor: Managing Player Loads
Addressing the disparity between the fresh energy of Bangladesh’s rising star Nahid Rana and the current Pakistani attack, Afridi offered a candid assessment of the realities faced by professional athletes. “It is a norm that machines deteriorate with time,” Afridi noted. “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.”
Afridi emphasized that the workload management is critical. With different bowlers rotating between Test and ODI formats, the coaching staff and the NCA are working closely to ensure that the athletes remain fresh enough to regain their explosive potential. The goal is to manage the physical toll to ensure that the bowlers can maintain peak performance during long, grueling international seasons.
Clarity on Mohammad Rizwan’s Future
Beyond the bowling concerns, the exclusion of senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan from the upcoming ODI series has sparked widespread debate. Despite being one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers in the ODI cycle, averaging 42.42 with 891 runs, his absence from the squad raised questions about his long-term future in the team.
Afridi was quick to temper the speculation. “I would suggest you not to jump to conclusions,” he stated firmly. “Babar and I were also dropped from the team, but we are back. I have spoken to Rizwan about it. It is not as if his cricket is finished just because he has been dropped for this series.”
The captain explained that the selection committee is focusing on expanding the player pool ahead of the ODI World Cup, which is 16 months away. By providing opportunities to uncapped players like Rohail Nazir, Arafat Minhas, and Ahmed Danyal, the management hopes to build a more resilient and versatile squad. This strategic rotation is aimed at ensuring that Pakistan has a diverse range of talent to draw from when the time comes to finalize the World Cup roster.
Looking Ahead
As Pakistan prepares for the second and third ODIs in Lahore, the focus remains on finding the right balance between legacy and innovation. While the concerns regarding pace are genuine, the leadership is clearly banking on scientific load management and a wider search for talent to steer the team back toward its winning ways. For fans, the hope is that the “machines” will soon be back to full power, and the team will rediscover the lethal edge that has historically defined Pakistani cricket.
