Former Pakistan cricket captain Rashid Latif has voiced his concerns over the recent performances of fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, following the national team’s 78-run defeat to New Zealand in the tri-nation series opener.

In a discussion on a private news channel, Latif questioned the effectiveness of the senior pacers, particularly highlighting Afridi’s lack of match-winning contributions in recent times. He emphasized that despite Naseem Shah’s experience, his impact on the team’s success has been minimal.

Latif also pointed out a perceived inconsistency in criticism, noting that while players like Khushdil Shah and Salman Agha often face scrutiny for poor performances, key figures such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, and Naseem Shah are seldom held accountable for their underwhelming displays.

Expressing concern over the current state of Pakistan’s bowling lineup, Latif mentioned that the injury of Haris Rauf has adversely affected the team’s performance. He urged the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to adopt a fresh approach by developing new fast bowlers and ensuring accountability among senior players

This critique comes in the wake of Pakistan’s recent loss to New Zealand, where the team failed to chase a 331-run target, ultimately being bowled out for 252 runs in 47.5 overs at Gaddafi Stadium. Fakhar Zaman was the top scorer with 84 runs, while key batsmen Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan contributed only 10 and 3 runs, respectively.