Former Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has stressed the need to develop quality fast bowlers if Pakistan is to achieve consistent success in Test cricket.
While speaking on a private TV channel’s programme, Masood said fast bowlers play a decisive role on the third and fourth days of a Test match, making them crucial to taking the 20 wickets required to secure victory.
He noted that even opposition tailenders have been able to score runs against Pakistan, highlighting the need for a stronger bowling attack. “To win a Test match, you need to take 20 wickets, which means your bowling unit must be of the highest quality,” he said.
Masood stressed that Pakistan should focus on producing quality fast bowlers if it wants to achieve consistent success in Test cricket.
Former captain Mohammad Hafeez also shared his views, saying that an excessive focus on spin bowling could harm Pakistan cricket. He urged curators to prepare balanced pitches that support all aspects of the game. Hafeez added that the stronger the foundation of Pakistan’s red-ball cricket, the stronger the country’s overall cricket will become.
Hafeez stressed that pitches should be prepared with a balanced approach, providing opportunities for the growth of both fast and spin bowlers instead of giving an advantage to one particular style of bowling.
He added that improving the foundation of red-ball cricket is essential for raising the overall quality of Pakistan cricket and helping the national team achieve greater success in the longest format of the game.
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