Ex-Pakistan captain rues fast-bowling stocks’ downfall

NEW DELHI: Rashid Latif, a former captain and wicketkeeper-batter for Pakistan, expressed regret about the team’s declining fast-bowling capabilities, claiming that their initial 145 kmph pacers have now dropped to 130 kmph.
Latif’s remarks came one day after Pakistan suffered their first-ever home defeat in a longer format match-by ten wickets in the first Test match against Bangladesh.
The hosts adopted a pace-bowling attack and did not employ a frontline spinner. However, they were unable to keep Bangladesh at bay on a submissive field as the visitors scored 565 to Pakistan’s 448/6 declaration.
Day five saw Bangladesh secure their first-ever Test victory over Pakistan when Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan combined to take seven wickets in the second innings, dismissing Pakistan for just 146. Bangladesh needed just 6.3 overs to chase down 30 runs.

“There were days when defeats against a team like Bangladesh would rankle, and shock us. We were a formidable team and it was not easy to beat us. In 2003, they came close to beating us thrice in three Tests. We ended up winning the series 3-0. The aura of invincibility at home is gone. We have lost five in the last nine games at home.
“The world knows that pace used to be our strength but our top fast bowlers no longer bowl at breakneck pace. It was the root cause of the defeat yesterday (at Rawalpindi on Sunday). Their speeds have come down drastically. If they are carrying injuries, they should reveal that. Shaheen (Afridi), Naseem (Shah), and Khurram (Shahzad) started off with pace of 145. They all have come down to 130,” said Latif to Cricbuzz, as per IANS.
Additionally, he thinks that the Pakistani support staff is not doing a good enough job of maintaining the pacers’ optimal condition to reach high speeds in Test cricket.
“Our trainers and physios are to blame. If you look at a Jofra Archer, he comes back after two years of hiatus but does not lose a yard in his pace. Same with Jasprit Bumrah — he comes back from an operation and bowls with the same velocity. Pat Cummins… he was out of cricket for a long time due to injury.”
“When he came back, he did not show any signs of slowing down. Why are our bowlers slowing down? Obviously, our support staff is not doing a proper job. A bowler of 144 kmph speed has come down to 128 kmph,” he said.
Latif, who briefly served as Afghanistan’s coach, also criticized Pakistan for declaring too early in their first innings and emphasized how Bangladesh benefited from playing spinners in Rawalpindi.
“The five-day matches are different from the ODIs and the T20Is. Every session is different in a Test. Bangladesh adapted well. We no longer have quality spinners like we used to, so turning tracks are no longer an option. Instead, we relied on pace, but the tactics backfired.
“Our bowlers bowled too short, while Bangladesh focused on fuller deliveries, and that made all the difference. They also have quality spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. Personally, I would have also included Taijul Islam,” said Latif.
“They made the right decision by opting to bowl first, given the conditions, and their early success proved it was the correct call. There was no need to declare (at 448 for six) – they should have aimed for 550. Falling 100 runs short ultimately made the difference.”
“(Mohammad) Rizwan was unbeaten on 171, and Shaheen was also batting well on 30 (29). Those 100 extra runs cost us the game. Bangladesh, on the other hand, read the conditions well and outplayed Pakistan. They wore down the Pakistani bowlers and then capitalized,” he concluded.