Pakistan’s star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is delivering fewer express pace balls in ODIs, sparking debate over his fitness and long-term effectiveness.
Statistics show a consistent drop in the percentage of his deliveries clocking 140+ KPH over the last five years.
According to official match data, Shaheen bowled 35% of his deliveries at 140+ KPH in 2021, compared to just 9% so far in 2025.
The year-by-year figures reveal a steep fall:
2020 — 20%, 2021 — 35%, 2022 — 11%, 2023 — 8%, 2024 — 4%, 2025 — 9%.
Cricket analysts suggest that this trend may point to underlying injury concerns, work overload from continuous cricket, or a change in bowling mechanics.
For a bowler who built his reputation on raw pace, late swing, and lethal yorkers, the reduced speed could limit the impact of his in-swing deliveries that once terrorised top-order batsmen.
Shaheen’s early years saw him dismantle batting line-ups with sharp, swinging yorkers consistently above 145 KPH.
However, in recent matches, his average pace has dipped, raising questions about whether he is preserving his fitness for longer spells or struggling to reach top speed due to physical strain.
Experts also warn that with lower pace, even the famed swing might not be as destructive, especially in flat ODI conditions where extra speed is often the difference between a play-and-miss and a boundary.
Fans and former cricketers have urged team management to monitor Shaheen’s workload closely to ensure Pakistan’s premier pacer regains his express edge ahead of key tournaments.
