Ahmad Shahzad Analyzes Pakistan’s Win Against West Indies, Cautions About Underlying Issues
Pakistan batter Ahmad Shahzad shared his views on Pakistan’s recent Test victory over the West Indies, commending the team’s performance while emphasizing that the win should not mask the deeper issues within the side.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Shahzad acknowledged the importance of winning at home but stressed the need for critical self-reflection. “It’s always good to win, especially on home soil, but we must ask ourselves some tough questions. Is this approach sustainable when we play overseas?” he remarked.
Shahzad highlighted the key role of spinners in Pakistan’s success at home. “Sajid Khan and Nauman Ali deserve credit for their consistent performances on spin-friendly pitches. Abrar Ahmed has also been brilliant. But let’s not forget, these conditions are ideal for them. We need to develop players who can perform on all kinds of surfaces,” he explained.
watch live channels for cricket
He also raised concerns about Pakistan’s reliance on spin-heavy pitches. “We’ve seen a growing trend of winning on spin-friendly tracks at home, but what happens when we play in countries like Australia, South Africa, or England? Our fast bowlers aren’t bowling with the same pace we used to be known for, and our batters struggle against quality pace attacks abroad,” he added.
Regarding the batting lineup, Shahzad praised Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan’s partnership in the first innings but pointed out technical flaws in other players. “Saud and Rizwan showed great resilience, but overall, our batting lineup lacks consistency. The technical gaps, especially against spin, are worrying. Even Babar Azam’s dismissal exposed these weaknesses,” Shahzad observed.
He also noted the lack of a potent fast-bowling attack. “Fast bowlers were once Pakistan’s trademark, but now we rarely see bowlers consistently bowling over 145 km/h. Bowlers operating at 130-132 km/h will struggle in conditions like South Africa or England,” he stated.
Shahzad concluded with a hopeful message but stressed the need for immediate action. “This win is a step forward, but it doesn’t mean we’ve solved all our problems. We have ten months before the next Test series. It’s crucial for players to focus on domestic cricket and work on improving their skills. If we don’t address these issues, we’ll continue to struggle in overseas conditions,” he warned.