AB de Villiers questions Pakistan's pace attack following average show in Headingley Test

The first Test between England and Pakistan began on August 19 at Headingley in Leeds as part of the World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Pakistan captain Babar Azam was ruled out of the match due to a hand injury, with Salman Agha taking over the captaincy. Mohammad Abbas, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali led Pakistan's pace attack in the opening Test of the three-match series.

Former South African cricketer AB de Villiers identified a significant shift in Pakistan's bowling approach and effectiveness compared to earlier eras, highlighting the loss of express pace and the intimidating presence that had once characterised Pakistan's fast bowling units.

"I feel the real big problem is what happened to that express pace, the fear factor that they used to have. They still seem to have this kind of reputation as great Pakistan bowlers, but they’re just not putting in the yards," De Villiers said on his YouTube channel.

De Villiers' assessment of Pakistan's bowling unit

De Villiers drew on his experience facing some of Pakistan's greatest fast bowlers during his international career. He had encountered bowlers including Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, Waqar Younis and Mohammad Asif, who had established Pakistan's bowling reputation as one of the most feared in world cricket. These bowlers had set a standard that the current generation appeared unable to match.

"The last three years have not been really good for them. Can they get that aura back, that presence that all Pakistan bowling attacks used to have?," De Villiers said.

In the match itself, England's batting lineup faced Pakistan's bowling attack in the first innings. Harry Brook top-scored with 91 from 93 balls for England. Ali Usman took a maiden Test five-wicket haul, finishing with 5 for 95, becoming the first visiting spinner to achieve this feat since Ashley Mallett in the 1972 Ashes series. Despite Ali's individual success, the broader concerns about Pakistan's pace attack's overall impact remained evident.

Speaking about the match, Pakistan were bowled out for 171 in their first innings and in reply England scored 409 where four batters scored half-century each to take the side to a better total.