Shaheen Afridi Criticized: Ramiz Raja Comments on Pacer’s Declining Speed

The Changing Dynamics of Pakistan’s Pace Attack

In the high-stakes environment of international cricket, few things are as scrutinized as the pace of a premier fast bowler. Recently, Pakistan’s star left-arm pacer, Shaheen Shah Afridi, found himself at the center of a heated debate regarding his diminishing velocity. During the first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium in Mirpur, former PCB chairman and renowned commentator Ramiz Raja directed sharp criticism toward Afridi, characterizing him as a ‘medium pacer’ rather than the fiery speedster fans have grown accustomed to.

A Critical Assessment on Live Television

The match, which saw Pakistan opt to bowl first after winning the toss, provided a platform for this discourse. While Babar Azam was sidelined due to a mysterious injury, the team’s pace trio included Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, and Hasan Ali. Despite securing the early wicket of Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Afridi appeared significantly less threatening in the subsequent spells. His bowling speed hovered consistently between 130-135 kph, a noticeable departure from his pre-2022 standards.

Ramiz Raja did not mince his words during the live broadcast. Highlighting the contrast between Pakistan’s current bowling stock and the opposition’s rising stars, Raja remarked, ‘We don’t have pacers like Nahid Rana. We have medium pacers. Shaheen Afridi so far has looked like a medium pacer.’ This blunt assessment has ignited a conversation across the cricketing fraternity regarding the long-term impact of injury on elite athletes.

The Statistical Reality of the Pace Decline

While Shaheen Afridi has often dismissed concerns regarding his physical condition hampering his pace, the statistical evidence paints a compelling, albeit concerning, picture. Prior to his significant knee injury in 2022, Afridi was a consistent threat, regularly hitting the 140 kph mark with relative ease. Post-injury, his speed profile has undergone a dramatic shift.

In the ODI format, the data is particularly revealing:

• 2021: 35% of his deliveries exceeded 140 kph.
• 2022: Dropped to 11% following the knee injury.
• 2023: Further decline to 8%.
• 2024: Remained low at 4%.
• 2025: A minor uptick to 9%.

This trend is not isolated to white-ball cricket; similar concerns have been observed across both Test and T20I formats. Although Afridi remains lethal with the new ball, his inability to maintain pace through longer spells has left a void in Pakistan’s bowling strategy. When the spearhead struggles, the entire bowling unit often finds itself under immense pressure to compensate.

Bangladesh’s Resilient Response

The backdrop of this commentary was a spirited display by Bangladesh. After losing two early wickets—Shaheen Afridi dismissing Mahmudul Hasan Joy and Hasan Ali removing Shadman Islam—the hosts found themselves in a precarious position at 31/2. However, the partnership between Mominul Haque and captain Najmul Shanto provided stability, steering the team to 101/2 by the 26th over.

This Test match holds significant weight, serving as the first meeting between the two sides in the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. Bangladesh, buoyed by their historic series sweep in Pakistan in 2024, showed tactical maturity, successfully countering the initial movement provided by the Pakistani seamers.

Looking Ahead: A Need for Vigilance

The situation regarding Shaheen Afridi is not one for immediate panic, but it is certainly one that requires careful management and monitoring from the team’s coaching staff and medical team. As Pakistan’s primary left-arm option, his effectiveness is vital to the team’s success in all formats. Whether this drop in pace is a permanent physiological adjustment post-injury or a technical issue that can be coached out remains to be seen. However, as the debate continues to grow, it is clear that for Pakistan to remain competitive in the global arena, they need their star performer to operate at his peak—not just in skill, but in the raw intensity that once defined his career.