The problem has been linked to pitch preparation procedures under Babar Azam‘s captaincy. The drop was clear during Pakistan’s Test series loss to Bangladesh, when the visiting fast bowlers frequently achieved speeds in the high 130s to mid 140s while Pakistan’s attack delivered at far lower velocities.
Pakistan’s fast bowling assault has experienced considerable issues in recent years, as performance indicators show a substantial fall in effectiveness.
Former Pakistan cricketer Urooj Mumtaz has emphasised the importance of home pitch conditions in this degeneration. Mumtaz argues that Babar’s predilection for batting-friendly pitches led to a lack of support for fast bowlers during his captaincy.
We’ve strayed so far from that because our batters, particularly when Babar was captain, preferred flatter tracks and batsmen who dominated the way things moved,” Mumtaz told Sky Sports Cricket.
How did pitch preparation effect Pakistan’s fast bowling?
The effect on individual bowlers has been measurable. Shaheen Shah Afridi, previously regarded as Pakistan’s best pace bowler, has struggled to match his previous pace levels since recovering from a knee injury in 2022.
Before his injury, Afridi had 99 wickets at an average of 24.86. Following his return, his next 27 wickets came at an average of more than 40 runs each, indicating a considerable reduction in effectiveness. Afridi was dropped from Pakistan’s XI several times during the Bangladesh series.
Mumtaz underlined that the absence of grass from first-class pitches exacerbated the situation for pace bowlers. This method deprived fast bowlers of their typical aid in generating movement and velocity.
Even in first-class cricket, grass was removed. So you were almost putting the fast bowlers up against the wall, giving them no help in first-class cricket, and allowing a lot of batters to make runs without any test. And that’s where I believe they’ve just gone off the boil,” Mumtaz said.
The current state of Pakistan’s pace attack reflects the combined effect of these factors. Mumtaz noticed that Naseem Shah has been unavailable, Haris Rauf is not bowling at his usual pace, and Ubaid Shah has emerged as the attack’s fastest bowler, capable of reaching 140 km per hour.
She underlined that fast bowlers have not gotten appropriate recognition and assistance, resulting in a shift in their attitude to the game.
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