Moeen Ali said he could not understand the perception about Pakistan producing world-class pacers and said that the Shaheen-Naseem-Rauf trio rated only as a decent bowling attack in the active circuit.

 

In a recent podcast discussion with fellow cricketer Adil Rashid, former England all-rounder Moeen Ali expressed skepticism regarding the perception that Pakistan possesses the world's best fast bowlers. He acknowledged the skills of Pakistani pacers Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf but suggested that labeling them as the best might be an overstatement.

 

Ali's remarks come in the wake of Pakistan's underwhelming performance in the 2025 Champions Trophy, where the team failed to progress beyond the group stages. The pace trio faced challenges during the tournament:

• Shaheen Afridi: Conceded 68 runs without taking a wicket against New Zealand and, despite claiming two wickets against India, gave away 74 runs in eight overs.

• Naseem Shah: Took two wickets for 63 runs against New Zealand but remained wicketless against India, conceding 37 runs in eight overs.

• Haris Rauf: Allowed 83 runs for two wickets in his full quota against New Zealand and went wicketless against India, giving up 52 runs in seven overs.

 

These performances have sparked discussions about the effectiveness and consistency of Pakistan's fast-bowling unit. Ali's perspective challenges the traditional view held by many cricket enthusiasts, especially those with Pakistani backgrounds, about the superiority of their seamers.

As Pakistan prepares for their upcoming series against New Zealand, the focus will be on their pacers to deliver impactful performances and reassert their standing in international cricket.

 

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