Courtney Walsh backs Shaheen to lead Pakistan’s fast-bowling tradition

KARACHI: Former West Indies fast-bowling great Courtney Walsh has said Pakistan’s long-standing reputation for producing quality pacers remains intact, with Shaheen Shah Afridi possessing the attributes needed to carry that tradition forward.

Walsh said Pakistan’s conditions and the development of bowling skills have helped sustain the country’s fast-bowling strength across generations.

When asked what sets Pakistani fast bowlers apart, Walsh said, “I think the conditions here. You have to have good skill sets, and you've got quality bowlers here from over the years. I mean, you go back, way back, went from Sarfraz up till now, Wasim, Waqar, those guys. All those guys have been good fast bowlers for Pakistan, and the youngsters have come on, and they've learned their trade as well.”

Shaheen singled out for discipline and execution

Walsh said Afridi stands out in the current attack because of his attitude, discipline and consistency, adding that these are the traits expected from top fast bowlers.

He said, “Shaheen is someone who I've always admired, the way he conducts himself, the way he plays, he's never given that attitude and just his own skill set and the pride that he plays when he plays for Pakistan and even in franchise cricket. And that's what you want to see in fast bowlers, and he has all those qualities.”

Walsh also pointed to the depth in Pakistan’s pace resources and named Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr among those continuing the tradition. He said, “As you mentioned, Naseem and those guys, yes, they're up there with it, and the quality is always going to be there. But I've always singled him (Shaheen) out for the way he executes, the way he goes about his job, keeping it simple and just trying to do the basics consistently.”

PSL coaching role and modern T20 demands

Reflecting on his current coaching assignment in the PSL, Walsh said franchise cricket differs from international coaching because there is far less preparation time and teams must begin work immediately.

“It's a lot different because you don't have as much time with the players as you have with the international side. You come straight into the competition, so you have to sort of hit the ground running. And it's interesting. It's good to see because you've got professional players as well who know what they want to do and how to go about doing it. So it's more or less guidance and a lot more discussions than actually coaching,” he said.

Despite results not going his side’s way, Walsh described the experience with the Rawalpindi team as positive. He said, “It's been very good, very happy to be here. It's the first time I've been involved with the Pindiz team as well. So, very good. The results might not be showing that at the moment, but it's good; the guys are looking after us. And we're just trying to put some games together where we can do well. But apart from that, everything, the atmosphere and everything has been good.”

Walsh said he was encouraged by how fast bowlers have adapted in T20 cricket, a format he described as heavily tilted toward batters. “I'm happy. I'm happy to see what I'm seeing in terms of the number of fast bowlers who have gone through the game and have done well. The game has evolved from the time I played until now. It's good to see. A good skill set has to be used. Consistency and the challenges are out there. But I'm happy that the quality of fast bowlers that we have on the circuit can make a name for themselves. Because, as you mentioned, T20 is a very challenging game and it's more suited for batters. So when you have fast bowlers doing well at that, I'm very happy.”

He also said more balanced pitches would help restore equilibrium between bat and ball. “Give them a more balanced surface to play on in terms of where the ball can do a little bit, comes off the wicket and seam around a little bit. It's a little bit of seam, so it's a bit challenging. But in today's game, we know that everyone wants to see runs being scored and big sixes being hit. So that's a challenge for the bowlers. But some of them have coped with it pretty well, where they try to minimise the amount of boundaries they go for. And that in itself is a skill set you have to practice.”

View on Test cricket and young talent

On the growing preference among some players for shorter formats, Walsh said T20 cricket’s pace and financial rewards make it attractive, while Test cricket would need stronger marketing and incentives to compete. He said, “I think it's going to happen where some guys are just happy to play the shorter format, and they want to be T20 specialists. One, they might not have the ability to play Test cricket and two, they might just want to play as long as they can play. But the T20 cricket is a shorter, faster game. A lot of excitement, and at the end of the day, to be honest as well, you get a decent paycheck, so you can't blame the guys for wanting to do that. I think if Test cricket wants to challenge that, then they have to look to market it more and then a lot more incentives as well.”

For emerging fast bowlers, Walsh said discipline, hard work and consistency remain essential. “Be prepared to work hard, be disciplined, be consistent in what you want to do and practice your skill set so that you can be the best at what you want to be at. Nothing beats consistency, and nothing beats hard work. So once you put the work in and you're consistent in what you want to get done, then the execution part will take care of itself.”

Among the younger players in his current setup, Walsh said one uncapped prospect had impressed him. “Yeah, Raza, who hasn't played a game as yet. He's got pace, just needs to work on his control, but he's got good raw pace and good action. And I think in time, he might get the game, hopefully before the series is over. But I'm expecting big things from him once they can look after him and keep him going. But he's got good ability.”

Walsh also said the PSL had given him a chance to reconnect with former Pakistan cricketers. “Yes, my desire is to meet some of them. I've got Inzamam in my set-up. I saw Latif when he came over. Moin is a coach with one of the teams, so I bumped into him as well. Basit Ali sent a message: Ramiz Raja is doing a bit of commentary. So you've seen some of the guys that you've played against, but it'll be nice to be able to move around and catch up with some of these guys.”