Former England all-rounder Moeen Ali has openly questioned the high praise often heaped on Pakistan's fast-bowling trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf, proclaiming they do not hold their ground among the best bowlers operating today.
Ali’s comments arrived during a discussion on the popular podcast "Beard Before Wicket" alongside fellow cricketer Adil Rashid, where the pair tackled perceptions surrounding Pakistan's bowling capabilities. Despite their undeniable talent, Ali stated, "There's this perception, especially among people with Pakistani backgrounds,
that Pakistan has the best seamers. I'm like, no. They're good, but they're not the best," reiteratively stressing, "Naseem Shah, Shaheen, and Haris Rauf are good. Don't take me wrong. I am not calling them bad but they are not the best in the business at the moment."
This criticism emerges following Pakistan's dismal run at the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy, where they found themselves relegated to the group stages without securing even one victory. The team faced harsh defeats against New Zealand and India, and their final clash with Bangladesh was washed out due to rain, marking yet another disappointing campaign for the cricketing nation on home soil.
Historically, Pakistan has been recognized for producing formidable fast bowlers. Moeen acknowledged this legacy, attributing it to the nation’s solid coaching foundations. "Pakistan has this thing where they do produce very good fast bowlers. Again, it’s something in their coaching system where they coach Pakistanis unbelievably well," he commented. Despite such praise for their training systems, the current trio—a group celebrated after their notable performance during the 2022 T20 World Cup where Pakistan reached the finals—has struggled to replicate their prior success.
Diving deep, Ali's critique shines light on the recent statistics from the Champions Trophy which amplify his assessment. Across three matches, Pakistan's formidable trio managed to claim only six wickets, emphasizing their collective underperformance. Shaheen Afridi, often seen as the spearhead, had particularly tough outings. He leaked 68 runs over 10 overs against New Zealand without taking a single wicket, and when they faced India, he finished with two wickets, yet allowed 74 runs over just eight overs.
Similarly, Naseem Shah did not help lift the shame, giving away 63 runs for just two wickets against New Zealand and failing to break through the Indian batting order. Haris Rauf, too, had his troubles; enduring 83 runs across his full quota against New Zealand, he added little respite, spilling 52 runs across seven overs against India.
Looking forward, Moeen's statements come at a pivotal moment as Pakistan embarks on their next series against New Zealand starting March 16, 2025. Afridi and Rauf have been named to compete in the five-match T20I series, whereas Naseem will be part of the ODI squad. Details surrounding their future performance could become increasingly significant as scrutiny around their capabilities mounts.
Pakistan aims to rebound after the tumultuous Champions Trophy, yet it will take more than just returning home to reclaim their stance as one of the fabled fast-bowling nations. The climate of criticism has undoubtedly intensified around the trio, urging them to deliver before their public. The upcoming series might present the ideal platform for these bowlers to transform pre-existing opinions or reinforce the critiques set forth by the likes of Moeen Ali.
With their prowess on the line, cricket enthusiasts await to see if Pakistan's esteemed pace trio can convert talent to triumph and, perhaps, justify their place among the crème de la crème of global fast bowlers.