[EXCLUSIVE] Is Muhammad Shahzad the pace bowling all-rounder Pakistan has been looking for?

[The Bald Eagle]

In our latest episode of Cricket Conversations Powered by PakPassion, host Mohammad Aizaz sits down with Muhammad Shehzad, the 21-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder from Dera Ghazi Khan who stunned fans with his 5-wicket haul and century in the President Trophy final! Fresh off a breakout domestic season, Shehzad opens up about his journey from Under-19 World Cup stardom to becoming one of Pakistan’s most promising all-rounders.

Key topics include:

Shehzad’s rise: From Under-13 cricket in DG Khan to dominating the 2022 Under-19 World Cup.
Balancing batting and bowling: “You have to play at any number the team needs” – His philosophy on team flexibility.
Handling pressure: How he thrived in high-stakes matches against India and on live TV.
Inspirations: Why Imran Khan and Babar Azam shaped his career.
Tareen Academy’s impact: How power-hitting and bowling camps transformed his game.
Domestic vs international ambitions: “If you don’t play first-class, you won’t have the skills.”
Future goals: Why he’s determined to become Pakistan’s next world-class all-rounder.

 

[Hammad Rasheed]

Muhammad Shehzad’s rise is definitely exciting! A genuine pace-bowling all-rounder is something Pakistan has been searching for. His performance in the President’s Trophy final shows he has both the skill and temperament for big moments. If he keeps developing, he could be a valuable asset for the national team. Hoping he gets the right opportunities—looking forward to seeing more of him!

 

[muz]

Anyone know what pace he bowls at?

 

[Asad T]

Anyone know what pace he bowls at?

I think in the mid 130’s
But he’s young so could increase his pace a bit more if he works hard

 

[Omer2002]

I think in the mid 130’s
But he’s young so could increase his pace a bit more if he works hard

True but what i saw of him he was just slightly faster than hussain tallat

 

[Shaka81]

I think in the mid 130’s
But he’s young so could increase his pace a bit more if he works hard

If batting his strength then even bowling mid 130s would make him a useful option internationally.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

If batting his strength then even bowling mid 130s would make him a useful option internationally.

We had a solid all rounder at 6, Irfan Niazi is great but not an all rounder. And Shadab Khan can't play in the team in presence of Salman Ali Agha.

So he could be a decent future prospect.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

sample size of domestic stats shows 5x 100s in FC with 80+ SR on avg , seems a good prospect ... Havent watch him play yet..

 

[muz]

True but what i saw of him he was just slightly faster than hussain tallat

That would not be very encouraging. I imagine Tallat is no faster than 120s.

 

[hassan918]

sample size of domestic stats shows 5x 100s in FC with 80+ SR on avg , seems a good prospect ... Havent watch him play yet..

With too many teams playing in domestic cricket at the moment and the main players are not mostly part of it, the quality isn't very high so we can't be 100% sure about the player's quality.

 

[Muhammad Saad]

I think in the mid 130’s
But he’s young so could increase his pace a bit more if he works hard

Any confirmation regarding his pace? Seems 127-133k to me , 135k May be his effort ball? Or he is averaging 135k?

 

[jamie smith fan]

Any confirmation regarding his pace? Seems 127-133k to me , 135k May be his effort ball? Or he is averaging 135k?

He will get to know his pace in psl hopefully.
I think he bowls in 132-135k range with his fastest ball at maximum 137k.

 

[Mohammad Aizaz]

Anyone know what pace he bowls at?

Anyone know what pace he bowls at?

Average pace is 130+ but we will get to know the exact figure once he plays in the PSL

 

[Mohammad Aizaz]

Any confirmation regarding his pace? Seems 127-133k to me , 135k May be his effort ball? Or he is averaging 135k?

He wasn't particularly an all-rounder during his U19 days but once he joined the Tareen Academy in Multan and worked out that he could be an asset with the ball as well. Also, he's one of the finest fielders in the country right now.

 

[Mohammad Aizaz]

With too many teams playing in domestic cricket at the moment and the main players are not mostly part of it, the quality isn't very high so we can't be 100% sure about the player's quality.

All I know is that he idolizes Hardik Pandya. He couldn't say that on air for obvious reasons but if someone is idolizing Pandya, I am sure there are reasons to believe that he takes his bowling seriously as well.

 

[Asad T]

All I know is that he idolizes Hardik Pandya. He couldn't say that on air for obvious reasons but if someone is idolizing Pandya, I am sure there are reasons to believe that he takes his bowling seriously as well.

Hopefully he doesn’t idolize him for his paw tattoo on his neck

 

[jamie smith fan]

Hopefully he doesn’t idolize him for his paw tattoo on his neck

Off topic but Is there any pakistan player who has tattoos??

 

[Asad T]

Off topic but Is there any pakistan player who has tattoos??

I dont think so, and if they did, the religious wing of the team-pcb would sideline that player

 

[The Bald Eagle]

We always hype the players before time but sincerely pray for his success in the future.

 

[jamie smith fan]

If he continues working hard,he can serve us for good 10-15 years.
Wishing him best for his future.

We always hype the players before time but sincerely pray for his success in the future.

 

[Mohammad Aizaz]

Hopefully he doesn’t idolize him for his paw tattoo on his neck

Haha. That's an interesting topic btw, Who do you think could be the first Pakistan player to come out with a tattoo openly?