Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Babar Azam Criticized Over Pakistan’s Decline in Pace Bowling
Urooj Mumtaz says Pakistan’s cricket pitches have become too easy for batters.
She believes this has made it harder for fast bowlers to improve.
She especially criticized the flatter pitches used during Babar Azam’s time as captain.
Pakistan used to produce famous fast bowlers such as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Mumtaz said recent bowlers have not received enough help from the pitches.
She mentioned concerns about Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
Babar is not playing in the first Test against England because he is injured.
He was recently brought back as Pakistan’s Test captain.
Former Pakistan cricketer Urooj Mumtaz criticized Babar Azam’s captaincy approach and pitch preferences.
Mumtaz said flatter, batting-friendly pitches have reduced opportunities for Pakistan’s fast bowlers to develop.
She argued that grass was removed from some first-class pitches, giving batters more assistance than bowlers.
Mumtaz cited concerns about Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf’s recent pace-bowling output.
Babar is missing Pakistan’s first Test against England because of injury but was recently reinstated as Test captain.
- Who
- Former Pakistan women’s cricketer Urooj Mumtaz criticized Babar Azam’s captaincy approach and Pakistan’s cricket conditions.
- What
- Mumtaz linked Pakistan’s decline in fast-bowling strength to flatter domestic and international pitches that favor batters.
- When
- The comments came while Babar was absent from Pakistan’s first Test against England because of injury; he was recently reinstated as Test captain.
- Where
- The discussion concerned Pakistan’s domestic pitches and England’s tours of Pakistan.
- Why
- Mumtaz said grass was removed from some first-class pitches and that fast bowlers were given little assistance.
- Critic
- Urooj Mumtaz, a former Pakistan women’s cricketer
- Main criticism
- Flatter, batting-friendly pitches have contributed to Pakistan’s fast-bowling decline, according to Mumtaz.
- Babar’s status
- He missed the first Test against England because of injury.
- Captaincy
- Babar Azam was recently reinstated as Pakistan’s Test captain after Shan Masood was removed.
- Pace-bowling concerns
- Mumtaz raised concerns about Shaheen Shah Afridi’s post-injury form, Naseem Shah’s absence and Haris Rauf’s pace.
- Domestic conditions
- Mumtaz said grass was removed from some first-class pitches, reducing assistance for fast bowlers.
- Historical comparison
- Pakistan has previously produced fast bowlers including Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Shoaib Akhtar.