Moeen Ali Critiques Pakistan's Fast Bowlers: Shaheen Afridi, Haris, and Naseem Not the Best

In recent comments, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has stirred some debate by questioning whether Pakistan’s pace attack is as good as many think. He singled out the trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah. He suggested that while they are talented bowlers, they are not the best in the world. His remarks came after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, where the team was eliminated in the group stages after failing to secure a win against New Zealand and India.

The Critique of Pakistan’s Pace Attack

Moeen Ali, during a podcast with Adil Rashid, shared his thoughts on Pakistan’s fast bowlers. He explained that there’s a common belief among fans, especially those with a Pakistani background, that the country has the best fast bowlers in the world. However, he quickly clarified that while Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah are good bowlers, they are not at the top of the world rankings.

“They are good but not the best,” said Ali. He acknowledged their potential but suggested that their performances in recent tournaments did not live up to the hype surrounding them. This statement sparked much discussion in the cricket community, with fans and analysts weighing in on the validity of Ali's point.

Shaheen Afridi’s Performance in the Champions Trophy

Shaheen Afridi is one of Pakistan's star pacers. He had a particularly challenging time during the Champions Trophy. In their opening match against New Zealand, he bowled 10 overs, conceding 68 runs without picking up a wicket. His performance against India wasn’t much better. Although he took two wickets, he gave away 74 runs in just eight overs, far from the standards expected of the world’s best fast bowlers.

While Shaheen Afridi has consistently been one of Pakistan’s best pacers over the past few years, his struggles in the Champions Trophy highlighted some weaknesses. His inability to break partnerships and control runs in key matches raised questions about his current form and effectiveness.

Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah’s Underwhelming Performances

Haris Rauf is another key figure in Pakistan’s pace attack. He also failed to impress in the Champions Trophy. He gave away 83 runs in 10 overs against New Zealand and took just two wickets. Against India, Rauf conceded 52 runs in 7 overs but failed to pick up a wicket. These figures further emphasize Ali’s argument that while these bowlers are good, they are not performing at the level required to be considered among the best in the world.

Naseem Shah is the youngest of the trio. He also faced difficulties during the tournament. He took two wickets in the match against New Zealand but gave away 63 runs in his 10 overs. His performance against India was even worse, as he went wicketless, conceding 37 runs from 8 overs.

While all three bowlers showed glimpses of their potential, their overall performances in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 were not up to the mark. This aligns with Moeen Ali’s view that they still have a long way to go before establishing themselves as the best fast bowlers in the world.

Is There a Need for Overhype?

Moeen Ali’s comments also hint at a deeper issue in cricket. There is often a tendency to overhype players based on a few good performances or their potential rather than consistent results. Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah have all shown flashes of brilliance, but the question remains whether they can deliver consistently at the highest level.

Ali’s critique reminds us that while Pakistan’s pace attack is certainly formidable, it still needs to prove itself against the world’s best in consistently high-pressure situations. Fast bowlers, like any other players, need to adapt and perform regularly, especially in major tournaments like the Champions Trophy or the World Cup.

Can Shaheen Afridi and the Others Bounce Back?

While Moeen Ali’s comments may have caused some friction, they also present an opportunity for Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah to prove themselves. Cricket is a game of constant evolution; one bad tournament does not define a player’s career. If anything, these critiques can serve as a wake-up call, urging the bowlers to work harder and focus on improving their game.

Shaheen Afridi, in particular, has shown great promise in the past and is still one of Pakistan's key players. Similarly, Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah have the potential to become world-class bowlers. It will be interesting to see how they respond to these challenges in future tournaments and series.

Conclusion

Moeen Ali’s critique of Pakistan’s fast bowlers is a candid assessment of the current state of their performances. While the trio are undoubtedly talented and can be a force to be reckoned with, Ali’s comments highlight that they are not quite at the top of the fast-bowling world yet. Their recent struggles in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 suggest that there is still work to be done to establish themselves among the best.

As Pakistan prepares for the upcoming series against New Zealand, it will focus on whether these bowlers can turn their performances around and live up to the hype surrounding them. With the right mindset and hard work, they certainly have the potential to become some of the world’s best fast bowlers.

For more on the latest developments in Pakistan cricket, check out our article on PCB sending a legal notice to Corbin Bosch for PSL contract breach.