NEW DELHI: Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has called for an overhaul of the national team’s pace attack, expressing concern over the form of current frontline quicks Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah.
The two fast bowlers are set to spearhead Pakistan’s bowling attack in the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy but Latif feels they have not contributing adequately.
“When was the last time Afridi delivered a match-winning performance?” Latif questioned.
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Latif pointed out that Shah has struggled to maintain consistency despite his extended tenure with the national team across formats.
“Naseem has also not contributed significantly to Pakistan’s success,” the former wicketkeeper-batsman said.
Latif referenced Pakistan’s recent defeat against New Zealand in the tri-series opener as evidence of the pacers’ underperformance.
“I have concerns over the form of Shaheen, Naseem and others and I feel they have not performed as expected.”
Latif urged the PCB to discover new fast bowling talents and ensure senior players are held accountable for poor performances.
He observed that while players like Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha face frequent criticism, senior players such as Afridi, Babar Azam, and Muhammad Rizwan escape scrutiny.
“No one is talking about these players’ lacklustre performances,” Latif said.
Legendary Javed Miandad noted that the selectors were depending heavily on the pace attack to deliver in the Champions Trophy.
“I am hopeful that the pace bowlers will deliver when it matters for us in this tournament. We have just one specialist spinner and the rest are not regular spinners,” Miandad said.
