Moeen Ali ends the debate on Pakistani fast bowlers. Says, “They’re not the best.”

Moeen Ali doesn’t believe that the current fast-bowling attack of Pakistan is among the best in the world. The 2019 ODI World Cup and 2022 T20 World Cup winner has said that there is a perception, especially among Pakistanis and people of Pakistani origin, that Pakistani pacers are the best. This perception is wrong as based on the current performances, the attack of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah is not the best in the world. 

Good, but not the best in the business

“Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf are good. Don’t take me wrong. I am not calling them bad but they are not the best in the business at the moment,” Moeen said on a TalkSport’s podcast alongside former teammate Adil Rashid.

The all-rounder’s comments days after Pakistan failed to register a single win in the ICC Champions Trophy, a tournament they hosted.

Pakistan’s woes

Pakistan has been on a sharp decline since they made an appearance in the final of the 2022 ICC T20 World Cup. The much-hyped Pakistani fast bowlers have much to do with the subpar performance as they have failed to make a mark. Shaheen Afridi, once seen as the new spearhead of the Pakistani attack, has not been in form since he made a comeback from injuries over 2 years ago. Similarly, seamers like Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf have not been able to perform as per expectations. 

“ODI cricket is dead”, says Moeen Ali

The former England cricketer also remarked that the ODI format is almost dead apart from World Cups and Champions Trophy. He blames the rules regarding field placements and the use of two new balls for making the game boring.

The 37-year-old notes that with two new balls, “you lose the reverse swing, you lose the art of trying to hit a softer ball.” He said that with the field restrictions, it is tough to build pressure and take wickets, which is why batsmen are averaging 60-70 in ODI cricket.  “Everything’s always in the middle and crisp and it’s flying off your bat and stuff. I think for those reasons, the cricket just died. 50-over cricket has died,” he further added.        

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