Shaheen Afridi Says Flat Pitches in Pakistan Limit Fast Bowlers

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s star fast bowler and ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi has highlighted a long-standing issue faced by pace bowlers in the country, saying that pitches in Pakistan are generally not very supportive for fast bowling.

Speaking on a podcast ahead of his debut for Brisbane Heat in the 2025–26 Big Bash League (BBL 15), Shaheen expressed hope that Australian wickets would offer him better assistance, as they are more bowler-friendly compared to conditions back home.

In a viral clip from the interview, Shaheen said, “Most pitches in Pakistan are flat,” pointing out the lack of seam movement and bounce, which are considered essential for fast bowlers.

Read more: Shaheen Afridi Calls Mitchell Starc His Role Model

He added that he is eager to adapt his bowling according to Australian conditions and believes that his experience of bowling against top batters like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan will help him improve further.

Talking about his role with Brisbane Heat, Shaheen said the team has assigned him the responsibility of taking early wickets and putting pressure on the opposition, a task he feels confident about executing more effectively on Australian pitches.

Statistics also support Shaheen Afridi’s viewpoint. Since 2020, fast bowlers in home Test matches in Pakistan have struggled, taking wickets at an average of nearly 40 runs per wicket across more than 30 innings. In contrast, spin bowlers have proven to be more effective in these conditions.