Former England Captain Unimpressed With Pakistan’s Seam Attack

While Pakistan’s pace bowling attack has seen a drastic decline in recent years, their abilities have largely remained unquestioned—until now. Former England international Moeen Ali has raised concerns about the trio’s potential, questioning their standing in world cricket.

The comments, made by the occasional England captain during a podcast, have sparked considerable debate. In the interview, which also featured Adil Rashid, Moeen Ali openly acknowledged the talent of Pakistan’s seamers—including Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, and Haris Rauf—but expressed doubts over their status as the best in world cricket. “There is this thing, people especially with Pakistani backgrounds will say Pakistan has the best seamers. I am like no. They are good, but no, they are not the best,” Moeen Ali stated.

Although he recognized their skill, Moeen Ali continued, “Naseem Shah, Shaheen, and Haris Rauf are very good, don’t get me wrong. We are not saying they are bad, but they are not the best either.” Ali’s comments come at a time when the trio has received widespread praise in Pakistan, but their recent performances, particularly during the 2025 Champions Trophy, have raised doubts about their ability to compete at the highest level.

In recent years, the performances of Shaheen, Naseem, and Haris have shown signs of decline, especially in major international tournaments a fact Moeen Ali alluded to. Despite being considered among the top bowling talents in world cricket, the trio has often failed to meet expectations under pressure. The 2025 Champions Trophy was a prime example, where each bowler struggled to make significant breakthroughs against tough opposition.

Their inability to rise to the occasion in big tournaments has led to concerns about the long-term effectiveness of Pakistan’s seam attack. Once regarded as a major strength capable of challenging the world’s best, they have increasingly struggled to deliver consistently against top-tier teams.

The PCB seems aware of these concerns shared by Moeen Ali, as they have called in reinforcements for the upcoming series against New Zealand. If Akif Javed and the new additions impress the selectors, Shaheen, Haris, and Naseem may find their opportunities limited moving forward.

Moeen Ali’s candid remarks could serve as a wake-up call, urging Pakistan’s pacers to push beyond their potential and prove they can be the world’s best when it matters most.