Kashif Ali: “Watching Shoaib bhai made me fall in love with fast bowling. His energy, aggression, and passion left a huge impression on me”
Image taken by: Bimal Mirwani
Pakistan seamer Kashif Ali has revealed he fell in love with fast bowling after watching the legendary Shoaib Akhtar in action.
Akhtar was one of the scariest pace bowlers around and Kashif conceded that he was inspired by the Rawalpindi Express’ “energy, aggression, and passion”.
Akhtar represented Pakistan in 46 Tests and took 178 wickets at an average of 25.69.
He also featured in 163 ODIs and claimed 247 wickets at an average of 24.97.
As for his T20I career, the 49-year-old finished with 19 wickets in 15 matches at an average of 22.73.
It should be noted that Akhtar still holds the record for the fastest ball bowled in international cricket, which was clocked at 161.3 kph (100.2 mph).
“Watching Shoaib bhai made me fall in love with fast bowling. His energy, aggression, and passion left a huge impression on me,” Kashif told Geo News.
The 31-year-old didn’t play in the 2025 Pakistan Super League (PSL) or Pakistan’s T20I series against Bangladesh in Lahore.
He also missed the tour of Bangladesh, where the men in green lost the T20I series 2-1.
Despite not featuring in PSL 10 or any of Pakistan’s recent assignments, Kashif has been active in the County Championship in England, where he has been representing Kent.
In the six games he has played, the Rawalpindi native has taken 11 wickets at an average of 58.54.
Pakistan are now touring the West Indies for three T20Is and three ODIs.
They hold a 1-0 lead in the T20I series after winning the first match by 14 runs.
The 2nd T20I will be held on August 3 in Lauderhill.
Pakistan Squad for West Indies T20I Series: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem
Pakistan Squad for West Indies ODI Series: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sufiyan Muqeem