Latif pointed out that Pakistan’s fast bowlers, once a major strength, have lost their pace, diminishing their effectiveness.
Rashid Latif Criticizes Decline in Pace of Pakistan’s Fast Bowlers Following Rawalpindi Defeat
Former cricketer Rashid Latif has expressed deep concerns over the decline in pace among Pakistan’s fast bowlers, attributing the team’s recent struggles, including their historic loss to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, to this significant drop in speed.
Latif highlighted that Pakistan’s fast-bowling attack, once a hallmark of the team’s strength, has suffered a noticeable decrease in pace. This reduction in speed, he believes, has severely impacted the effectiveness of the bowlers.
In an interview with Cricbuzz, Rashid Latif stated, “There was a time when defeats against teams like Bangladesh were unthinkable. Our bowlers no longer bowl at breakneck pace, which was the root cause of the defeat in Rawalpindi.” Latif’s remarks underscore a growing concern that the fast bowlers’ loss of speed has contributed to their inability to perform at their peak.
Latif specifically pointed out the decline in the pace of bowlers like Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Khurram Shahzad. He noted that these bowlers, who once consistently delivered at speeds of around 145 kmph, are now bowling at approximately 130 kmph. This decrease in velocity, according to Latif, has undermined their effectiveness on the field.
The former cricketer also raised questions about the potential concealment of injuries and criticized the support staff for not ensuring that the bowlers maintained their pace. Latif’s comments reflect a broader frustration with the management and training practices that may be failing to address these performance issues.
In addition to criticizing the bowlers, Rashid Latif took issue with Pakistan’s strategic decisions during the match. He particularly faulted the decision to declare Pakistan’s first innings at 448/6, arguing that the team should have aimed for a higher total to strengthen their position. “The decision to declare at 448 for six was premature,” Latif said. “They should have aimed for 550, which could have made the difference.”
Latif suggested that a higher total might have placed more pressure on Bangladesh and possibly altered the outcome of the match. He noted that Bangladesh’s superior adaptation to the conditions and effective use of spin bowling played a crucial role in their victory.
On August 25, Bangladesh achieved a historic 10-wicket win over Pakistan in the Rawalpindi Test, marking their first-ever victory over Pakistan in Test cricket. Pakistan was bowled out for just 146 runs in their second innings on the final day of the match. Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan were instrumental in Bangladesh’s triumph, taking seven wickets between them.
Mehidy Hasan Miraz claimed 4-21, while Shakib Al Hasan took 3-44, leading to a dramatic collapse of Pakistan’s batting lineup on the fifth day. Pakistan’s dismissal for 146 runs in 55.5 overs left Bangladesh with a modest target of just 30 runs. Openers Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam achieved this target in just 6.3 overs, sealing Bangladesh’s victory.
This loss highlights the ongoing challenges facing the Pakistan cricket team and has spurred discussions about the need for improvements in both player performance and strategic decisions. As the team looks ahead, addressing these issues will be crucial for regaining their competitive edge in international cricket.