1 week ago
Sohail Khan Says Pacers, T20 Cricket Drive Pakistan Test Decline
Sohail Khan thinks Pakistan’s Test cricket has become weaker because its fast bowlers need better skills.
He says bowling very fast is not enough by itself.
Bowlers must also use angles, the crease and different kinds of swing.
He believes young players are choosing T20 cricket because it offers more money.
This means they may not play enough first-class cricket with a red ball.
Sohail also says young bowlers need more specialized coaching.
He believes internal disagreements and egos have hurt Pakistan cricket.
He praises Jasprit Bumrah for using skill and technique effectively.
He says Shaheen Shah Afridi is struggling with his wrist position and follow-through.
Sohail Khan says Pakistan’s current pacers lack the skills needed for successful Test cricket.
He argues that crease usage, angles, reverse swing and late movement matter more than raw pace.
Sohail says T20 cricket is drawing young players away from first-class red-ball cricket.
He criticizes the lack of specialized, one-to-one coaching and cites internal politics as obstacles.
Sohail identifies Jasprit Bumrah as a model pacer and says Shaheen Shah Afridi has technical issues.
- Who
- Former Pakistan fast bowler Sohail Khan.
- What
- He blamed undeveloped fast-bowling skills, limited coaching and the influence of T20 cricket for Pakistan’s Test decline.
- Where
- At the first Test against England in Leeds, England, where Pakistan’s pace attack struggled.
- When
- During discussion of Pakistan’s first Test against England at Leeds.
- Why
- Sohail says bowlers are focusing too much on speed, playing too little first-class cricket and receiving insufficient technical guidance.
Key facts
- Sohail Khan’s international career
- He played 27 internationals, including nine Tests, and retired from international cricket in 2023.
- World Cup performance
- Sohail took five wickets for 55 runs against India in the 2015 World Cup.
- Test-bowling skills
- He emphasized using the crease, angles, reverse swing and late swing from a good length.
- T20 influence
- Sohail said T20 cricket’s financial rewards are discouraging young players from playing first-class cricket.
- Coaching concerns
- He said Pakistan’s young pacers lack specialized one-to-one sessions focused on skills and tactics.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Sohail attributed Afridi’s struggles to wrist positioning and falling away during his follow-through.
- Coaching qualification
- Sohail said he has completed a Level 2 coaching course.
Quotes
Sohail Khan
Former Pakistan fast bowler and international cricketer
“The thing is, unless you don't play enough first class cricket with the red ball, you can never become world class and have the ability to adjust and exploit different pitches and conditions. The more you play the more fit a fast bowler remains.”
rediff.com
“There are too many likes and dislikes in our cricket. Too much ego. I have spoken to Aqib Javed, Misbah ul Haq, Asad Shafiq and offered my services as fast bowling coach but they have not bothered to get back despite reminders.”
rediff.com
Sources
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