Sarfraz Nawaz, a renowned figure in cricket known for his mastery of reverse swing bowling and his outspoken nature, recently shared his insights with Cricbuzz. In an interview, he discussed the Pakistan cricket team, their fast bowlers, the Champions Trophy, and offered high praise for Jasprit Bumrah.
When asked about his recent whereabouts and his thoughts on the Champions Trophy, Nawaz mentioned he is retired and currently residing in London. He confirmed he is following the tournament closely.
Regarding the structure of the Champions Trophy, Nawaz felt it was too brief. He suggested expanding it to include a Super Six stage or a similar format to lengthen the competition.
Analyzing the India-Pakistan match, Nawaz described it as a one-sided affair. He attributed Pakistan’s defeat to poor team selection, particularly the absence of quality spinners and injuries to key players like Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman. He felt the team lacked balance and some selections were influenced by external pressures. Nawaz mentioned he had advised the PCB chairman to include spinners like Sajid Khan and Noman Ali, who had previously performed well, but his suggestions were ignored.
Expressing his concern about Pakistan cricket, Nawaz believes it is currently struggling due to the administration being run by non-cricketing bureaucrats. He pointed out frequent changes in PCB leadership and team captaincy as detrimental factors.
Nawaz acknowledged the significant gap between the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams. He observed the Pakistani captain, Mohammad Rizwan, appearing unusually subdued and under pressure during the toss of the India match, which was unlike his usual demeanor. He reiterated that poor team selection was the primary reason for Pakistan’s underperformance.
Addressing the performance of Pakistan’s bowling attack, Nawaz noted a lack of variety. He criticized the spinners as being inadequate and the reliance on four fast bowlers without sufficient variation. In contrast, he highlighted India’s inclusion of five spinners. He mentioned that even Mohammed Shami went wicketless on the pitch, and despite a good start, Pakistan’s bowling faltered.
Evaluating Shaheen Afridi’s current form, Nawaz believes he hasn’t been the same since his injury. He noted a decrease in pace and inconsistency in his line and length, leading to him conceding too many runs.
Speaking about Naseem Shah, Nawaz commented that while he has been part of the team for around five years, his bowling speed has also reduced following a shoulder injury. He used to bowl at 145 kph but now bowls around 135-137 kph, and his bowling line is often outside the off stump.
Regarding Haris Rauf, Nawaz recognized his speed but criticized his inconsistent line and length, stating he only bowls good deliveries occasionally.
When asked about Jasprit Bumrah, Nawaz unequivocally declared him as the “best bowler in the world today.” He expressed disappointment that Bumrah’s fitness issues have limited his appearances, especially recalling his outstanding performances in Australia. Nawaz lamented Bumrah’s absence from the Champions Trophy due to fitness concerns.
Finally, Nawaz reflected on the progress of Indian cricket, attributing its success to continuous changes, diverse teams and players for different formats, and strong bench strength. He praised India’s ability to rest senior players and provide opportunities to younger talents.
