Former Pakistan bowling coach Azhar Mahmood has opened up about concerns over the decline in pace among Pakistan’s fast bowlers. Mahmood backed fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah to make an impact again and added that the management needs better planning and investment in red-ball cricket.
Pakistan, led by Babar Azam, are preparing for the first Test of the three-match series against England at Headingley, starting on Wednesday, August 19. Their pace attack will instead rely on Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad, and Ubaid Shah, with Aamer Jamal providing another seam option.
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Aghan Are Due Runs - Azhar Mahmood
Speaking to Sky Sports, Azhar Mahmood pointed out some encouraging signs in Pakistan's batting unit. He highlighted recent hundreds from Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood in the West Indies, along with Saud Shakeel's century in the practice game after returning from injury.
"I think Rizwan and Salman are due runs. Rest of the guys... Abdullah Shafique got 100 in West Indies, Shan got 100 in West Indies as well. And, in the practice game, Saud Shakeel coming back from injury and he got 100 as well. So, you know like, batting is getting there."
Pakistan's three-match Test series against England will begin at Headingley on August 19. Babar Azam will lead Pakistan, while Saud Shakeel was added to the squad after recovering from the injury.
Shaheen Afridi Still Has Plenty Left - Azhar Mahmood
Azhar Mahmood also spoke about Pakistan's lack of express pace. He backed Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and younger bowlers who can generate more speed. However, Shaheen will not feature in the England Test series after Pakistan left him out of the squad to focus on white-ball cricket.
"I think the biggest thing is, on these conditions, that if the pitch is dry... if you see Pakistan bowling lineup, there's no massive, uh, someone who had a pace. Normally Pakistan with a pace, but I still believe Shaheen got lot of cricket left, Naseem Shah got lot of cricket left."
"We have young, uh, kid Ubaid Shah... He has some pace, you know, like he can bowl 140-145. But, you know, I've seen him in last test match, but he was bowling at 127-130, maybe because of the condition and stuff like that."
Shaheen's most recent Test appearance came against Bangladesh in Dhaka in May 2026. He took three wickets in the first innings and two in the second, finishing the match with 5/167. Overall, he has taken 126 wickets in 34 Tests at an average of 28.13, with four five-wicket hauls.
Azhar Mahmood Calls for More Investment in Domestic Red-Ball Cricket
Azhar Mahmood believes Pakistan must identify specialist bowlers for each format instead of allowing franchise cricket to dictate player priorities. He argued that the domestic system needs stronger financial incentives so that promising fast bowlers see a clear future in Test cricket.
"We still have the likes of Ali Raza. He... he's got a genuine... he got a genuine pace. Abdul Subhan, he got a genuine pace. These guys are there, but you need to identify the talent."
“Nowadays, people think in three formats. You need to understand who is my Test match bowler, who is my 50-over bowler, who is my T20 bowler. Unfortunately, Pakistan never had a clue which guys we were going to invest in.”
“Unfortunately, there’s not much money involved in domestic cricket. People go and play franchise cricket, earn more money, and are happy to bowl four overs rather than 20 overs. So, I think if Pakistan needs to inject money into domestic cricket and give the guys who play red-ball cricket a bit more money.”
Also read: “Nobody gives him respect”: Azhar Mahmood reveals Babar Azam’s treatment in Pakistan
