Karachi: Pakistani fast bowler Nasim Shah emphasized the importance of control over pace for fast bowlers to be effective in the current scenario. He made these remarks during a press conference held at the National Bank Stadium. Pakistan is currently hosting the training series and the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, commencing on February 19. The training series includes South Africa and New Zealand, with Pakistan facing a defeat by 78 runs in its first match against New Zealand.
Shah stated that Pakistan needs to improve its performance against New Zealand if they are to reach the finals. He mentioned, “If you look at my last match, I bowled at almost 140 km/h, which is normal in one-day cricket.” He further added, “There are only a few bowlers in the world who consistently bowl at speeds of 145-150 km/h.” Shah emphasized, “Focus on control and line is more important than just speed.” He also said, “These days, the average speed is almost in that range, and the approach of a bowler is more important to their performance.”
The heavy defeat against New Zealand has raised questions about Pakistan’s ability to defend the Champions Trophy. However, Shah assured that the players are aware of their mistakes and are working to rectify them. He stated, “As an international player, you know when you make a mistake. We discuss these things within the team and strive to correct them.” After the training series, Pakistan will kick off its Champions Trophy campaign against New Zealand, followed by their second group match against India in Dubai on February 23. Shah clarified that there has been no discussion within the team regarding the match against India, as their focus is on showing excellent performance throughout the tournament. He added, “We cannot focus on just one match; otherwise, we won’t achieve our goal. It’s a pressure game, and the team that handles this pressure better will succeed.”
