Top 15 Pakistani fast bowlers: Pakistani soil produces the best fast bowlers

In the world of cricket, Pakistani soil is known to produce the best Pakistani fast bowlers and seamers. Whether they are in past Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, or in the present Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah or Haris Rauf and many others. Here we are going to have a look at these amazing rising stars’ stats and performances.

Top 15 Best Pakistani Fast Bowlers Of All Time

SHOAIB AKHTAR

Who does not recognize this name? Fastest Pakistani bowler whose arrogance during the game and haughtiness was famous all over the world. Be it Indian little master or Australian Puntrey: Ricky Ponting or prince of the port of Spain: Brian Lara. Everyone has validated the terror of his lethal bouncers and toe-crashing yorkers.

Akhtar, known as Pindi Express due to his as fast as express-train bowling and his nativeness from Rawalpindi Pakistan, has a watch worthy career of fourteen years with deadly bouncers, injuring batsmen and a lot of controversies as being a blunt-talking man.

But he always remained honest with his passion and showcased the level of his exceptional talent to the world. He has claimed the record of the fastest bowl in cricket history since 2003 to date.

Aqib Javed

The one known for his conventional rivalry with India, Aaqib Javed was one of the key players of late-twentieth-century of Pakistan cricket team. Claiming 4 out of 6 MOMs of his ODI career, a hat-trick, 7 wicket haul, and 3 five-wicket hauls, all against India. He had become a nightmare, especially for Indian Batters at his time. 

Wasim Akram

Founder of reverse swing bowling, most wicket-taker from Pakistan and honoree of Hilal-e-Imtiaz, 2019; Wasim Akram has presented his exception eminence in pace bowling. One of the greatest captain and fast bowler has entitled a number of records worldwide. Be that the only bowler to achieve four hat tricks or the first one to mark 400 and 500 ODI wickets to his name, the one to hit most sixes in single test innings or highest test innings by a number 8 batter. The only name prompts on the instigation of these records. Sultan of Swing; Wasim Akram.

Waqar Younis

Another one of the greatest bowlers of all time, the youngest captain of his era, Waqar Younis is vindicated as one of the most talented fast bowlers by many legends throughout the cricket world.

Along with Wasim Akram, they both are referred to as “The Two W’s” because of their formidable partnership. he had kept holding the record of the best strike rate of 43.4 among the bowlers having 200 or more wickets. The record is overdone merely by Dale Steyn. Here are the exceptional Stats of the legend of the late twentieth century.

Imran Khan

Although Imran Khan was one of the best all-rounders who still holds a number of records to date, he believes in being the best of the best. at a time, when Pakistan cricket was in its growing ages, the Best skipper of his golden era, became the hero of Pakistani sports in 1992 when he brought Cricket World cup trophy into his own country. Alongside the solid team players, his exceptional captaincy was a boost over that. He was honored with the Hilal-Imtiaz cause of winning the most prestigious trophy of the Cricket world. He led the team with an utter ardour that his greatness is accepted worldwide. 

Umer Gul

Young boy from Peshawar emerged as another fine bowling talent from the soil of Pakistan. The lever performance that turned the spotlights towards 20 year old Umar Gul in 2003 – 04 test series against foes; India at Lahore. His five for 31 was the stamp to the victory at home for Pakistani team in that match.

Gul’s career was affected by a series of injuries and surgeries. His inclusion in team squad was not permanent due to unfitness. Still he managed to encompass his profile with the help of inswinging deliveries and pacing attacks. Accurate line and length bowling was his trait. His yorkers were a threat to facing batters. Being an impeccably attacking bowler, Umer Gul is considered as much underrated bowler. But playing with heart and soul along with maintaining a clean profile, made him honorable among the cricketers and cricket fans. Gul said adieu from all format cricket in October 2020.

Muhammad Asif

Highly skilled but addled by the stardom and fame, ruined his career when he was at the peak of his position. Muhammad Asif was a reason for most Pakistan wins. His era began with knocking India off in test series with scalping seven preys and continued to quarry Sri Lankans in 3 match test series in which he took his first five wickets and ten-wicket haul. After involving in the drugs and fixing controversies, his career shattered down in a glance.

Muhammad Amir

Aggression is a key factor for a game like cricket especially in bowling which takes the game to the next level and Aamir realized this fact. Picked up by Wasim Akram, one of the most talented and aggressive fast bowlers always knew how to make the ball move according to his command. Deadly yorkers and inswinging curlers are slaves of the left-arm fast bowler. Although his one big blunder destroyed his career for five years and limitized his stats as well. But he returned to international cricket with style. His undeniable performances in Indo-Pak Asia cup 2016 match and his astounding wickets in Champions trophy 2017 final against arch-rival India that contributed a major role in the victory of Pakistan team are speaking evidence of his extraordinary capabilities.

Wahab Riaz

The man known for his blowing aggression and watch worthy spells, Wahab Riaz holds, although underrated, a lot to display in his portfolio. His pivotal five-for against arch-rival India in the 2011 world cup semi-final had carried Pakistan team very close towards the victory but the batting order couldn’t make it through, keeping their tradition in strenuous matches alive.

Wahab Riaz’s persistent bowling speed is 154 km/h which enabled him to hurl deadly spells against opposition. His dramatic spell to Shane Watson is his career-best that stupefied Aussie batter. In the world cup 2015, Australia was dominating with bat and some words were sledged by Watson to left-arm pacer. Agonized Wahab then replied with the most exciting spell in world cup history. Even Watson later confessed that he didn’t realize that Wahab Riaz can bowl that fast.

35-year old announced his quit from red ball cricket after 2019 cricket world cup though he showed his availability when needed in latter year. not only bowling, but he was proved a great finisher under pressure.

Shaheen Shah Afridi

Pakistan’s province, KPK has brought up one of the finest 6′ 6″ bowler who at very low age of 19 has polished himself up and been recognized worldwide for his disciplined, destructive and mindful fast bowling which culminated him as seven 4 wickets and two 5-wickets and one 6- wicket hauls in international cricket in less than 2 years’ span.

He is an all-format fast bowler who began his career with under 16 team, which led him to under 19 team of Pakistan in December 2016 and then he debuted in Pakistan national t20I (April 2018), ODI (September 2018) and Test (December 2018). Shaheen improved his bowling imperfections in the meantime and currently, he has impeccably become one of the youngest fast bowlers in the world. He wants to excel in all fields i.e. bowling, batting, and fielding.

Muhammad Hasnain

Although young pacer Muhammad Hasnain has not a lot to include in his international cricket resume as he just started his career in 2019, the boy made himself recognized in domestic cricket and PSL. 20 years old was a part of 2019 world cup squad. Even though he didn’t feature in it, his inclusion in the squad showed the trust management put on him. Hasnain possess the potential and showed many times in his matches whether in domestic cricket or Pakistan Super League. He bowls at 150+ kph, aided by this promising pace, he was able to take a fifer against Zimbabwe in ODI series in 2020.

Naseem Shah

Youngest, astounding fast bowler and pacer, 17-year-old Naseem Shah from Lower Dir KPK, who made his test debut at the age of 16 against Australia and justified his selection. 
He was initially named in the U19 cricket world cup 2020 but after his impressive performance in international test cricket, he retained his name in the Pakistan national team.
At the age of 16, he became the youngest fast bowler to take five-wicket haul against Sri Lanka and a hat trick against Bangladesh.

Haris Rauf

Talking about fast bowlers and not mentioning Haris Rauf would be an injustice. Haris has also emerged to be an exceptional bowler who revealed his high potential in Big Bash League in December 2019 with bowling at a pace of 151 kmph and petrified his own teammates. The guy from Rawalpindi took a fifer in his very second match for Melbourne Stars and took a Hat Trick on Jan 8, 2020. After his remarkable performance in BBL, he made his debut in Pakistan T20I team against Bangladesh and showcased his talent. He does not have a copious stats obviously because of his fresh debut in international cricket, but still, he has confirmed his outclass aggression to everyone.

Final Thoughts

As said earlier, Pakistani soil has been abundant with talented Fast bowlers. Entire world is agreed upon the aggression and class showed by Pakistani pacers and quality has always enchanted the true cricket lovers.

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