Pakistan’s Fast Bowling Prospects for the Upcoming Men’s T20 World Cup

By Divy Tripathi

Pakistan, with its seemingly inexhaustible supply of fast bowlers, is gearing up to finalize the best possible team combinations for the upcoming global cricketing event in the United States and West Indies.

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Shaheen Afridi is all set to lead the bowling attack, but the competition for the remaining spots is fierce.

Here’s a look at the top contenders for Pakistan’s fast bowling lineup for the T20 World Cup:

Naseem Shah

Naseem Shah, a highly-rated fast bowler, was sorely missed during Pakistan’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 campaign in India, where the team failed to make it to the knockout stage. His ability to consistently deliver high-speed deliveries throughout the innings makes him a valuable asset to the team.

Now fully recovered from a shoulder injury sustained during last year’s Asia Cup, Naseem is eager to make up for lost time and perform in the white-ball format.

Scott Edwards falls after attempting the scoop against Naseem Shah during Netherlands v Pakistan in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.

Since his comeback, Naseem has been in fine form, taking 15 wickets at an average of 22.2 in the PSL and performing well against New Zealand at home. The selectors will be hoping that he gets plenty of match practice in the coming weeks.

Mohammad Amir

Once touted as the successor to swing kings Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, Mohammad Amir’s career has been marred by inconsistency, resulting in just 52 T20Is in his 15-year international career.

However, his whippy pace and nippy swing remain a formidable challenge for batters in T20 leagues around the world, as recently demonstrated against New Zealand during their tour of Pakistan.

Mohammad Amir, known for his skill with fuller length deliveries, delivered a hostile opening over in the 2009 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup final, setting Sri Lanka back with pace and bounce.

Despite the challenges of making an international return at 32, Amir is no stranger to comebacks. His performances in ICC tournaments, including being part of Pakistan’s last two ICC title-winning squads, suggest that he could be a key player in another successful title run.

Haris Rauf

Once considered one of Pakistan’s top fast bowlers, Haris Rauf’s recent form and injury issues have been a concern. Despite consistently taking wickets, his high economy rate has been problematic.

A shoulder dislocation in February means Rauf needs to regain full fitness before he can return to the Pakistan squad.

Despite his recent absence, Rauf’s extra pace is highly valued. At his best, he can provide crucial support to the new-ball bowlers by performing effectively in the middle and death overs.

Abbas Afridi

While Pakistan’s express pacers often grab the headlines, their medium pacers, like Abbas Afridi, provide much-needed stability and control. Much like his uncle Umar Gul, Abbas relies on accuracy and variations to succeed.

Since his international debut in New Zealand, Abbas has demonstrated an uncanny ability to take wickets at crucial stages of the game. His performance in the recent PSL, where he took 13 wickets at an average of 19, further bolsters his credentials.

With Shahnawaz Dahani and Hasan Ali currently out of the T20I setup, Abbas could fill the role of medium pacer in the Pakistan side in June.

Mohammad Wasim

Despite lacking the express pace of some of his teammates, the tall all-rounder Mohammad Wasim can be a tricky prospect in T20 cricket due to the extra zip his height provides.

Despite a lackluster PSL 2024 where he took just nine wickets at an average of 33 and an economy rate close to 10, Wasim can be dangerous on surfaces that offer some carry. This was evident in the last T20 World Cup, where he took six wickets in Perth at an average of 6.5.

Zaman Khan

Zaman Khan, with his slinging action reminiscent of Sri Lanka’s legendary pacer Lasith Malinga, brings a unique style to Pakistan’s bowling lineup.

His raw pace combined with a difficult-to-read action can trouble batters. Although he only has nine T20Is to his name, Zaman’s unique style could make him the X-factor if Pakistan selects him for the T20 World Cup.

Hasan Ali

Hasan Ali, who last played for Pakistan in T20Is in 2022 and is currently playing in the English county circuit, could make a surprise comeback.

A valuable medium pacer who can also contribute with the bat and in the field, Hasan has the added advantage of having played in several ICC events. His most recent appearance was in the Men’s Cricket World Cup last year, where he was recalled after a year’s absence from ODI cricket.