Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers said that Pakistan’s bowling strategy and efficacy had changed significantly from previous periods, emphasising the lack of express pace and the formidable presence that had previously defined Pakistan’s fast bowling corps.
As part of the World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, the first Test match between England and Pakistan took place on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds. Salman Agha took over as captain of Pakistan after Babar Azam was out for the game due to a hand injury. In the first Test of the three-match series, Pakistan’s pace attack was spearheaded by Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad, and Muhammad Ali.
AB de Villiers’ evaluation of Pakistan’s bowling team
During his international career, AB de Villiers faced some of Pakistan’s best fast bowlers. He had faced bowlers like Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis, and Mohammad Asif, who had made Pakistan one of the most formidable bowling teams in the world of cricket. The current generation didn’t seem to be able to reach the benchmark set by these bowlers.
The opening innings of the match pitted Pakistan’s bowling assault against England’s batting lineup. Harry Brook led England in scoring with 91 from 93 balls. Ali Usman became the first visiting spinner since Ashley Mallett in the 1972 Ashes series to take five wickets in a Test match, finishing with five for ninety-five. The wider worries about the overall impact of Pakistan’s speed attack persisted despite Ali’s individual triumph.
In terms of the game, England scored 409 in their reply after Pakistan was bowled out for 171 in their first innings. Four batsmen each got a half-century to help the team to a higher total.
