Pakistan’s Pace Crisis Exposed as Mohammad Abbas Leads Struggling Attack
A once-feared fast-bowling powerhouse is now facing uncomfortable questions as Pakistan’s attack loses its bite in conditions that should have favoured them. On the opening day of the first Test against Bangladesh in Mirpur, what unfolded was less about swing and aggression and more about survival, control and a worrying lack of speed.
Pakistan began the day with intent. Early breakthroughs from Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali gave them exactly the start they wanted, reducing Bangladesh to 31 for 2. But that early momentum quickly faded as Najmul Hossain Shanto and Mominul Haque rebuilt with a commanding 170-run partnership, turning pressure into dominance and reshaping the entire contest.
By stumps, Bangladesh had reached 301 for 4 and the numbers told a deeper story beyond the scoreboard. The most alarming detail was pace, or the lack of it. Shaheen Afridi, once a bowler who regularly touched the high 140s, was consistently operating well below that mark, with deliveries struggling to even approach 140 kph. Across the attack, no Pakistani quick truly threatened serious pace and the intensity that once defined this unit was noticeably absent.
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Amid this slowdown, one name stood out for different reasons: Mohammad Abbas. While not a express pacer, Abbas brought discipline, control and the only consistent sense of Test match structure in the bowling effort. His dismissal of Shanto for 101 was one of the rare moments where Pakistan regained a foothold in the day.
The broader concern, however, is not just one match. It is a pattern stretching back years. Injuries have disrupted Shaheen Afridi’s rhythm, younger quicks have struggled with fitness and Pakistan’s once-famous pipeline of express bowlers appears to have thinned dramatically. Instead of fresh 145-plus km/h talent, the attack now leans heavily on recycled names and containment strategies.
What makes this more significant is history. Pakistan cricket was built on pace legends who terrified batters worldwide. Today, that identity feels increasingly distant, replaced by a unit searching for answers rather than imposing itself.
As the series continues, the spotlight will remain firmly on whether Pakistan can rediscover that lost pace identity, or whether this marks a longer-term shift in how they approach Test cricket.
Stay with us as we continue tracking this developing story, bringing you every update as Pakistan’s bowling future comes under sharper and sharper focus.
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