Rashid Latif criticizes decreasing speed in Pakistan's fast-bowling arsenal

Pakistan lost their first-ever Test to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi on Sunday.

Former cricketer Rashid Latif expressed disappointment, particularly noting Pakistan's declining fast-bowling strength.

He criticized the drop in pace from their top bowlers, mentioning that speeds have decreased significantly, impacting their performance.

"There were days when defeats against a team like Bangladesh would rankle, and shock us. We were a formidable team and it was not easy to beat us. In 2003, they came close to beating us thrice in three Tests. We ended up winning the series 3-0. The aura of invincibility at home is gone. We have lost five in the last nine games at home.

"The world knows that pace used to be our strength but our top fast bowlers no longer bowl at breakneck pace. It was the root cause of the defeat yesterday (at Rawalpindi on Sunday). Their speeds have come down drastically. If they are carrying injuries, they should reveal that. Shaheen (Afridi), Naseem (Shah), and Khurram (Shahzad) started off with pace of 145. They all have come down to 130," said Latif to Cricbuzz, as per IANS.

Latif also questioned the effectiveness of Pakistan's support staff in maintaining bowling speeds comparable to international standards.

"Our trainers and physios are to blame. If you look at a Jofra Archer, he comes back after two years of hiatus but does not lose a yard in his pace. Same with Jasprit Bumrah -- he comes back from an operation and bowls with the same velocity. Pat Cummins... he was out of cricket for a long time due to injury."

"When he came back, he did not show any signs of slowing down. Why are our bowlers slowing down? Obviously, our support staff is not doing a proper job. A bowler of 144 kmph speed has come down to 128 kmph," he remarked.

Latif criticized Pakistan's decision to declare their first innings at 448/6, believing they should have aimed for a higher total.

"The five-day matches are different from the ODIs and the T20Is. Every session is different in a Test. Bangladesh adapted well. We no longer have quality spinners like we used to, so turning tracks are no longer an option. Instead, we relied on pace, but the tactics backfired.

"Our bowlers bowled too short, while Bangladesh focused on fuller deliveries, and that made all the difference. They also have quality spinners in Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Shakib Al Hasan. Personally, I would have also included Taijul Islam," said Latif.

"They made the right decision by opting to bowl first, given the conditions, and their early success proved it was the correct call. There was no need to declare (at 448 for six) - they should have aimed for 550. Falling 100 runs short ultimately made the difference."

"(Mohammad) Rizwan was unbeaten on 171, and Shaheen was also batting well on 30 (29). Those 100 extra runs cost us the game. Bangladesh, on the other hand, read the conditions well and outplayed Pakistan. They wore down the Pakistani bowlers and then capitalized," he concluded.