Waqar Younis Explains Why Fast Bowlers Lose Speed and Face Injuries Today

Fast bowling speeds are dropping in international cricket, and young pacers are losing their raw pace within a few years of starting their careers.

Why Pace Is Dropping

Former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis said that the heavy workload of T20 leagues around the world is the main reason for this change. Unlike past eras when Test cricket was the top priority and bowlers had plenty of time to prepare, modern players travel constantly and play high-pressure T20 matches. Younis noted that bowling four overs in T20 cricket creates more pressure than a full ten-over spell in a one-day match because every single ball carries extreme risk.

The Shift in Mindset

Bowlers who start out bowling at 150 km/h soon feel the need to learn survival skills like slower balls and wide yorkers to cope with aggressive batters and flat pitches. Once batters hit a couple of boundaries, the bowler's mindset shifts from attacking to surviving, and the raw speed disappears.

Protecting Fast Bowlers

Younis stated that cricket boards must protect fast bowlers by keeping their Test bowling units separate, pointing to examples set by England and Australia. Playing long-format cricket helps pacers practice bowling 25 overs a day while keeping their top speed, free from the constant fear found in short-format games.

Context

Fast bowlers face intense physical strain due to the year-round calendar of international matches and domestic T20 leagues. Managing player workloads and separating red-ball specialists from white-ball specialists are ongoing debates in modern cricket management.