Why Pakistan Bowlers Are Struggling for Pace: Umar Gul Explains
Pakistan cricket has long been synonymous with fearsome fast bowling. From the lethal swing of Wasim Akram to the thunderbolts of Shoaib Akhtar, the nation has produced legends who terrorized batters worldwide. Yet, in recent times, a troubling question has emerged: Why are Pakistan’s current bowlers struggling to generate pace?
During the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh, the drop in speed has been a glaring issue, with bowlers struggling to consistently hit even 135 kph. Former Pakistan fast bowler Umar Gul, now serving as a member of the coaching staff, has stepped forward to explain what he believes is behind this decline. His insights offer a nuanced perspective on a problem that goes beyond simple bowling performance.
Bangladesh Batters Deserve Credit
Gul emphasized that the situation is not as one-sided as it may appear. According to him, the opposition batters have played exceptionally well, which has made Pakistan’s bowling look worse than it actually is. He also pointed to a few moments of misfortune that compounded the team’s struggles.
“Bangladeshi batters have batted really well,” Gul noted. “In some moments we were unlucky. We missed chances in reviews and couldn’t get Litton Das out. But that’s part of cricket. Sometimes luck is on your side, sometimes it isn’t. The bowlers tried hard, but the results didn’t go our way.”
Red-Ball Rhythm is the Real Issue
When questioned directly about the apparent decline in pace, Gul rejected the idea that it is a permanent or talent-based issue. He stressed that many of the same bowlers regularly hit 140 kph in white-ball cricket, particularly in the Pakistan Super League (PSL). The primary culprit, he believes, is a lack of red-ball preparation.
“We still have bowlers who can bowl 140 kph in PSL and ODI cricket,” Gul said. “But in red-ball cricket, the pace drops a bit. We don’t play enough Test cricket these days. Because of that, bowling muscles and bowling memory don’t develop properly. Both mental and physical preparation are important. The bowlers have given everything, they are bowling long spells.”
The long gap since Pakistan last played a Test match has clearly taken a toll. “The last time we played red-ball cricket was in October. After more than six months, we came back again. So maybe the pace looks slightly down, but the energy is still there. On top of that, the heat and humidity here also play a role,” he explained.
Lack of Match Practice Before the Series
Gul admitted that scheduling challenges, including PSL commitments, prevented Pakistan from organizing adequate red-ball practice matches before the tour of Bangladesh. This lack of preparation, combined with the intense heat in both Karachi and Bangladesh, made the task even harder for the bowlers.
“Before any series, preparation in that format is important,” he added. “But because of scheduling, PSL and other commitments, we worked with the players we had in camp. We didn’t get enough match practice after that. Even in Karachi, the conditions were very hot.”
Not a Crisis, But a Wake-Up Call
While the dip in pace is concerning, Gul’s analysis suggests it is a temporary issue rooted in circumstance rather than a fundamental flaw in Pakistan’s fast-bowling production line. With more red-ball exposure, better scheduling, and a bit of luck, the bowlers can rediscover their rhythm and pace. For now, the team and its supporters must wait, work through the challenges, and trust the process.
The good news is that the potential is still there. As Gul noted, the energy is present. The real challenge is to align preparation and opportunity so that Pakistan’s next generation of fast bowlers can once again strike fear into the hearts of batters around the world.
