Ramiz Raja highlights the death bowling problem for Pakistan before the Asian Cup 2025

Former Pakistan captain Ramiz Raja has highlighted a key problem area for Pakistan. The Men in Green will hope to win their first Asia Cup title since 2012 with their new-look side. Pakistan have moved on from Babar Azam and Mohammed Rizwan, with Salman Ali Agha leading the side. And while the batting is inexperienced, Raja believes it is the bowling that will be a huge worry for Pakistan.

Death bowling needs to improve: Ramiz Raja’s blunt take on Pakistan attack

Pakistan might have overhauled their batting, but their bowling bears a familiar look. Shaheen Afridi is the still the talisman, with Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali for support. With Afridi not the same bowler he was a few years, Pakistan’s death bowling is a bit light heading into the Asia Cup 2025.

“Pakistan’s death bowling needs to improve, especially with the Asia Cup coming up. Top teams, on good batting surfaces, will not let this kind of bowling go unpunished. I think Pakistan needs to develop more strategies in this area,” Raja said on his Youtube channel.

Salman Agha has often resorted to using left-arm chinaman Sufiyan Muqeem in the death overs as a point of difference. The 25-year-old averages just 13.91 and has a economy of under 7 in T20Is. With the pitches in UAE conducive to spin, Muqeem could be the difference maker for Pakistan. Raja however believes the 25-year-old has work to do with his spin. The ex-PCB president is worried he could be found out on good batting surfaces.

“Sufiyan Muqeem is a wrist-spinner who is often given the final overs. He is young and still learning. His length and line are fine, but he needs to work on his spin. I feel he should not bowl the same way repeatedly, he must use more googlies and chinaman variations, otherwise, he becomes predictable,” he added.

Pakistan are grouped with India, Oman and UAE in Group A of the Asia Cup 2025.