Former Pakistan batsman Salman Butt points out the difference between Indian pacers and Pakistan's fast bowlers. He feels there is a gap in fast bowling skills between the two countries.
Butt, on his Youtube channel, said Pakistan fast bowlers need to focus more on their skills and gain experience by playing domestic cricket before comparing themselves with Indian speedsters. He added that the Pakistan bowlers are obsessed with bowling fast currently.
“There is a difference in the skill levels. Skill is developed with experience and bowling lots of overs in first-class cricket. You have to work out batsmen in Test cricket, as they are in no hurry. It is a mental game and test of nerves. Pakistan’s bowlers are really young.
"There is Mohammad Hasnain, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah. Shahnawaz Dahani hasn’t played yet, and there are a few others. The combined experience of all these fast bowlers is less than 25-30 first-class matches," he said.
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Butt spending a lot of time in domestic cricket has helped the Indian fast bowlers to survive at the international level. He mentioned the names of Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj while praising the Indian fast bowling unit.
“In India, Siraj alone has played over 40 first-class games. Ishant Sharma would have played over 100 first-class games. Jasprit Bumrah too has credited the improvement in his bowling to Ranji Trophy. He was not selected in the Indian team by bowling two balls over 145 kph. Pakistan’s problem is that they are only obsessed with bowling at 140 kph regularly,” he added.
Butt said the batsmen in international cricket aren't bothered by the speed of delivery and hence Pakistan pacers will have to develop skills by playing a few seasons of domestic cricket.
“No one is scared of bowlers bowling at 140 kph. James Anderson is doing it at the age of 40. Australia’s pace trio of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc also bowl fast but they still lost in Bangladesh (Cummins is not part of the series).”
“Pakistan’s bowlers are very talented, but they need to learn skills and gain experience. Once they play 35 first-class matches, you will see the difference. The ones who will pass the test will be long-term prospects. So now is the wrong time to compare Pakistan with India’s fast bowlers. You can compare their pace not skill,” he concluded.
