KARACHI: Pakistan’s tradition of fast bowling continues to command worldwide respect, and few understand the craft better than West Indies legend Courtney Walsh. From the legends of the past to the rising stars of today, Walsh believes Pakistan’s line-up of fast bowlers is as potent as ever, with Shaheen Afridi standing out as the quintessential modern-day fast bowler.

Speaking to Geo News on the sidelines of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11, Walsh pointed to improvements in conditions and skills as the foundation for Pakistan’s back-to-back fast bowling success during his tenure as Rawalpindi’s coach.

“I think the conditions here,” he said when asked what makes Pakistan fast bowlers different from the rest of the world.

“You have to have good talent, there have been quality bowlers here over the years. I mean, you go back, you come from Sarfraz till now, Wasim, Waqar, those guys. All those guys have been good fast bowlers for Pakistan and the youngsters have learned their trade as well,” he added.

At the heart of the current pace attack, Walsh sees Afridi as a symbol of discipline and consistency, qualities that define great fast bowlers.

“Shaheen is someone I’ve always admired, the way he carries himself, the way he plays, he never gives that attitude, his own talent and pride when he plays for Pakistan and even in franchise cricket. That’s what you want to see in fast bowlers.

He acknowledged the depth of Pakistan’s pace resources, naming Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jnr among those carrying the tradition forward.

“As you mentioned, Naseem and those guys, yes, they’re with it and the quality is always there. But I’ve always singled him (Shaheen) out, the way he executes, the way he does his job, keep it simple and try to keep doing the basics.”

While Walsh’s words reflect his admiration for Pakistan’s pace culture, his current role in franchise cricket has given him a different perspective on the modern game. Working in the fast-paced environment of the PSL, he highlighted the challenges of coaching in a format where preparation time is limited.

“It’s very different because with the international side you don’t have much time. You come straight into the competition, so you have to hit the ground running. And it’s interesting. It’s good to watch because you have professional players who know what you need to do and how to do it. So it’s more than just mentoring and coaching.”

Despite his side’s not-so-encouraging results, Walsh described his experience in the league as positive, underlining the competitive atmosphere and team spirit.

“It’s great to be here, it’s great. It’s the first time I’ve been with Bintis too. So, really good. The results might not show it right now, but that’s good, the guys are looking at us. And we’re trying to put together some games where we can do well.

The evolution of cricket, particularly in the T20 era, has put bowlers under more pressure, a reality Walsh readily acknowledges. Still, he finds encouragement in how fast bowlers have adapted to survive in a format dominated by batters.

“Happy. It’s good to see the number of fast bowlers I have played. The game has grown from the time I played till now. It’s good to see. Good skill should be used. Consistency and challenges are out there. It’s a very challenging game and it suits the batsmen well, so when the fast bowlers perform well, I’m very happy.

Even so, he believes balance between bat and ball remains a concern, with surfaces and conditions playing a major role.

“Give them a more balanced surface in terms of what the ball can do a little bit, come out of the wicket and come around a little bit. It’s a bit of a seam, so it’s a bit challenging. But in today’s game, we know everyone wants to see them hit runs and hit big sixes. They’re going for boundaries and that’s a skill you have to practise.”

Beyond the technical aspects, Walsh also addressed a broader change in cricket, a growing preference among players for shorter formats than Test cricket.

“I think some guys are happy to play the shorter format and they should be T20 specialists. One, they may not have the ability to play Test cricket and two, they may want to play till they play. But T20 cricket is a shorter, faster game. A lot of excitement and at the end of the day you have to be honest, you have to be honest. I think if Test cricket wants to challenge that, they need to market it a bit more and look at incentives.

However, for the next generation of fast bowlers, Walsh’s message is rooted in timeless principles: discipline, hard work and consistency.

“Be willing to work hard, be disciplined, be committed to what you want to do, practice your skills so that you can be the best at what you want to do. Nothing beats consistency, nothing beats hard work. So if you put in the work and are committed to what you want to do, the execution part will take care of itself.”

Among the young players in his current set-up, one name has already caught his eye.

“Yes, Raza is uncapped. He has pace and needs to work on his control, but he has got good pace and good action. And I think he will get the game before the end of the series. But they may look at him and keep him going. But I expect big things from him.

Away from the game, the PSL has given Walsh an opportunity to reconnect with former rivals and friends, reminding him of cricket’s enduring bonds.

“Yes, my wish is to meet some of them. Inzamam is in my set-up and I saw Latif when he came. Moeen is a coach in a team so I saw him too. Basit Ali sent a message and Rameez Raja does a bit of commentary. So you get a good look at some of the boys.

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