Overrated? Pakistan’s Pace Trio Fails to Deliver as Moeen Ali Questions Their World-Class Status!
Pakistan's once-celebrated pace trio, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, faced harsh criticism after their disappointing Champions Trophy 2025 campaign. Moeen Ali downplayed their "world-class" tag, stating they are good but not the best. The numbers back it up, as Shaheen and Haris managed just 2 wickets each, while Naseem leaked 63 runs against New Zealand and went wicketless vs. India.
In the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing group-stage exit from the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, their highly-rated pace trio of Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah has come under intense scrutiny. Once considered among the best in world cricket, their recent performances have raised doubts about their ability to deliver in high-pressure games.
England all-rounder Moeen Ali, speaking on a podcast with teammate Adil Rashid, challenged the popular belief that Pakistan has the best fast bowlers. While he acknowledged their talent, he 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. Naseem Shah, Shaheen, and Haris Rauf are very good, don’t get me wrong. We’re not saying they’re bad, but they’re not the best either.
The statistics from the Champions Trophy support Moeen’s statement. Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf managed only two wickets each while conceding expensive runs. Naseem Shah leaked 63 runs for just two wickets against New Zealand and went wicketless against India, a crucial match that sealed Pakistan’s elimination.
This poor showing has fueled concerns about Pakistan’s bowling attack, which was once their biggest strength. With the T20 World Cup 2026 approaching, the team management will need to reassess their strategies and address the inconsistency of their pace attack to remain competitive on the global stage.
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