Why Pakistan Bowlers Are Struggling for Pace: Umar Gul Explains

Why Pakistan’s Fast Bowlers Are Losing Steam

Once feared for producing express pace sensations like Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar, Pakistan cricket now faces a concerning dip in raw speed from its fast-bowling unit. In recent matches, especially in red-ball cricket, bowlers have struggled to consistently breach the 135 kph mark—an alarming contrast to the country’s storied legacy of fire-ballers.

But is it really a decline in talent? Not exactly, says former fast bowler and current bowling coach Umar Gul.

It’s Not Just About Pace

Gul is quick to point out that the narrative around Pakistan’s bowling struggles is more nuanced than just speed. He credits the Bangladesh batters for their strong performances during the series and acknowledges that luck hasn’t always been on Pakistan’s side.

“Bangladeshi batters have batted really well. 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,” Gul explained. “The bowlers tried hard, but the results didn’t go our way.”

The Misconception About Speed

One common assumption is that Pakistan has lost its ability to produce fast bowlers. Gul firmly disagrees. He highlights that in white-ball formats like ODIs and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), many bowlers still regularly clock speeds of 140 kph and above.

The issue, he argues, lies specifically in red-ball cricket.

“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 Rhythm Gap

Timing and rhythm are essential for fast bowlers to hit top speed consistently. And here’s where Pakistan’s schedule becomes a concern. The team had not played a Test match since October—over six months prior to the series in Bangladesh.

This long gap has disrupted the natural build-up and conditioning needed for red-ball cricket. Gul acknowledges this directly.

“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,” he said. “On top of that, the heat and humidity here also play a role.”

Preparation Challenges

Another critical factor, according to Gul, is the lack of proper preparatory matches before touring for a Test series. Ideally, teams need practice games in similar conditions to fine-tune rhythm and build match fitness.

However, due to scheduling conflicts, PSL commitments, and limited availability of players, Pakistan had to work with the resources on hand.

“Before any series, preparation in that format is important. 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,” Gul added.

Looking Ahead

While the current pace deficit is visible, Gul remains optimistic. The foundation of speed still exists in Pakistan’s fast-bowling pool. What’s needed, he suggests, is better planning, more red-ball exposure, and consistent opportunities to play Test cricket.

The tools are there. Now, it’s about giving them the time and context to shine.