Pakistan’s former captain Mohammad Hafeez has voiced strong criticism against the national team’s bowling trio—Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf—following their disappointing performance against India in Dubai. Hafeez believes it’s time to rethink Pakistan’s bowling attack ahead of the Champions Trophy 2025.
Hafeez Criticizes Pakistan’s Bowling Trio
During a recent interview, Mohammad Hafeez expressed his concerns about Pakistan’s pace attack, stating that the trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf has failed to deliver in crucial tournaments. He pointed out that their underwhelming performances have been evident since the 2023 Asia Cup.
“The trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf failed to deliver in the 2023 Asia Cup, 50-over World Cup, T20 World Cup, and now in the lead-up to the Champions Trophy 2025,” Hafeez remarked.
Time for a New Bowling Attack?
Hafeez suggested that Pakistan should explore other bowling options instead of relying on the current pace trio. He proposed giving opportunities to players like Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Akif Javed, and Mir Hamza, who have been waiting for their chances in the national squad.
“These players are also Pakistani, and they deserve an opportunity,” he added, emphasizing the need for fresh talent to step up and make an impact.
Babar Azam’s Performance Against India
Apart from the bowling department, Hafeez also criticized Babar Azam’s inability to perform in crucial matches, particularly against India. He compared the star batter to former Pakistan legend Inzamam-ul-Haq, questioning his impact in high-pressure games.
“Babar Azam has been playing for Pakistan for the past 10 years, yet he hasn’t been able to help Pakistan secure a single victory against India,” Hafeez noted.
Pakistan’s Struggles in Recent Matches
Looking at the recent performances of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, their bowling figures have raised concerns.
- Shaheen Afridi: Conceded 68 runs in 10 overs against New Zealand without taking a wicket (economy rate of 6.80). Against India, he gave away 72 runs in 8 overs, picking up two wickets but maintaining a high economy rate of 9.25.
- Naseem Shah: Picked up two wickets in 10 overs against New Zealand while conceding 63 runs. Against India, he remained wicketless in his eight-over spell, giving away 37 runs.
- Haris Rauf: The most expensive bowler against New Zealand, conceding 83 runs in 10 overs while picking up two wickets. Against India, he bowled seven overs and leaked 52 runs without taking a wicket.
With back-to-back defeats against New Zealand and India, defending champions Pakistan now face a must-win situation in their final group-stage match against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on February 27.
As Pakistan looks ahead, Hafeez’s suggestion to revamp the bowling lineup with fresh talent could spark serious discussions within the selection committee. Will Pakistan make bold changes before the Champions Trophy 2025? Only time will tell.
