Archive · 22 Aug 2026
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.
- When
- During discussion of Pakistan’s first Test against England at Leeds.
- Where
- At the first Test against England in Leeds, England, where Pakistan’s pace attack struggled.
- Why
- Sohail says bowlers are focusing too much on speed, playing too little first-class cricket and receiving insufficient technical guidance.
- 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.