Sports
Walsh says Shaheen has ‘all qualities’ to carry forward Pakistan’s pace legacy
KARACHI: The legacy of Pakistan’s fast bowling continues to command global respect, and few understand the craft better than West Indies legend Courtney Walsh.
From the greats of the past to the rising stars of today, Walsh believes Pakistan’s production line of fast bowlers remains as potent as ever, with Shaheen Afridi standing out as a complete modern-day pacer.
Speaking to Geo News during the ongoing Pakistan Super League, which is part of Rawalpindiz setup as coach, Walsh pointed to conditions and skill development as the foundation of Pakistan’s fast-bowling success across generations.
“I think the conditions here,” he said when asked what makes Pakistani pacers different from the rest of the world.
“You have to have good skill sets, and you’ve got quality bowlers here from over the years. I mean, you go back, way back, went from Sarfraz up till now, Wasim, Waqar, those guys. All those guys have been good fast bowlers for Pakistan, and the youngsters have come on, and they’ve learned their trade as well,” he added.
At the heart of the current pace attack, Walsh sees Afridi as a symbol of discipline and consistency, qualities he believes define great fast bowlers.
“Shaheen is someone who I’ve always admired, the way he conducts himself, the way he plays, he’s never given that attitude and just his own skill set and the pride that he plays when he plays for Pakistan and even in franchise cricket. And that’s what you want to see in fast bowlers, and he has all those qualities.”
He also acknowledged the depth in Pakistan’s pace resources, naming Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr among those carrying the tradition forward.
“As you mentioned, Naseem and those guys, yes, they’re up there with it, and the quality is always going to be there. But I’ve always singled him (Shaheen) out for the way he executes, the way he goes about his job, keeping it simple and just trying to do the basics consistently.”
While Walsh’s words reflect admiration for Pakistan’s pace culture, his current role in franchise cricket has given him a different perspective on the modern game. Working within the fast-paced environment of the PSL, he highlighted the challenges of coaching in a format where preparation time is minimal.
“It’s a lot different because you don’t have as much time with the players as you have with the international side. You come straight into the competition, so you have to sort of hit the ground running. And it’s interesting. It’s good to see because you’ve got professional players as well who know what they want to do and how to go about doing it. So it’s more or less guidance and a lot more discussions than actually coaching.”
Despite not-so-encouraging results for his side, Walsh described his experience in the league as positive, underlining the competitive environment and team spirit.
“It’s been very good, very happy to be here. It’s the first time I’ve been involved with the Pindiz team as well. So, very good. The results might not be showing that at the moment, but it’s good; the guys are looking after us. And we’re just trying to put some games together where we can do well. But apart from that, everything, the atmosphere and everything has been good.”
The evolution of cricket, particularly in the T20 era, has placed bowlers under increasing pressure, a reality Walsh readily acknowledges. Yet, he finds encouragement in how fast bowlers have adapted to survive in a format dominated by batters.
“I’m happy. I’m happy to see what I’m seeing in terms of the number of fast bowlers who have gone through the game and have done well. The game has evolved from the time I played until now. It’s good to see. A good skill set has to be used. Consistency and the challenges are out there. But I’m happy that the quality of fast bowlers that we have on the circuit can make a name for themselves. Because, as you mentioned, T20 is a very challenging game and it’s more suited for batters. So when you have fast bowlers doing well at that, I’m very happy.”
Even so, he believes the balance between bat and ball remains a concern, with surfaces and conditions playing a crucial role.
“Give them a more balanced surface to play on in terms of where the ball can do a little bit, comes off the wicket and seam around a little bit. It’s a little bit of seam, so it’s a bit challenging. But in today’s game, we know that everyone wants to see runs being scored and big sixes being hit. So that’s a challenge for the bowlers. But some of them have coped with it pretty well, where they try to minimise the amount of boundaries they go for. And that in itself is a skill set you have to practice.”
Beyond the technical aspects, Walsh also addressed a broader shift in cricket, the growing preference among players for shorter formats over Test cricket.
“I think it’s going to happen where some guys are just happy to play the shorter format, and they want to be T20 specialists. One, they might not have the ability to play Test cricket and two, they might just want to play as long as they can play. But the T20 cricket is a shorter, faster game. A lot of excitement, and at the end of the day, to be honest as well, you get a decent paycheck, so you can’t blame the guys for wanting to do that. I think if Test cricket wants to challenge that, then they have to look to market it more and then a lot more incentives as well.”
For the next generation of fast bowlers, however, Walsh’s message remains rooted in timeless principles: discipline, hard work and consistency.
“Be prepared to work hard, be disciplined, be consistent in what you want to do and practice your skill set so that you can be the best at what you want to be at. Nothing beats consistency, and nothing beats hard work. So once you put the work in and you’re consistent in what you want to get done, then the execution part will take care of itself.”
Among the young players in his current setup, one name has already caught his eye.
“Yeah, Raza, who hasn’t played a game as yet. He’s got pace, just needs to work on his control, but he’s got good raw pace and good action. And I think in time, he might get the game, hopefully before the series is over. But I’m expecting big things from him once they can look after him and keep him going. But he’s got good ability.”
Away from the game, the PSL has also provided Walsh an opportunity to reconnect with former rivals and friends, a reminder of cricket’s enduring bonds.
“Yes, my desire is to meet some of them. I’ve got Inzamam in my set-up. I saw Latif when he came over. Moin is a coach with one of the teams, so I bumped into him as well. Basit Ali sent a message: Ramiz Raja is doing a bit of commentary. So you’ve seen some of the guys that you’ve played against, but it’ll be nice to be able to move around and catch up with some of these guys.”
Liverpool face competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, while Arsenal want Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.
Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades
TRENDING RUMORS
– Liverpool lead the race to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, TalkSPORT reports. Liverpool face strong competition from Manchester United and Real Madrid for the England international’s signature, while he is under contract at Selhurst Park until June 2029 and Palace are demanding a fee of at least £80 million. Curtis Jones‘ exit from Liverpool could help the club raise extra funds, and he has been linked with a move to Italian giants Internazionale.
– Arsenal are keen on signing Leicester City wonderkid Jeremy Monga, as per The Telegraph. Monga, 16, has already agreed terms on a professional contract with the Foxes, but attention from the Premier League may yet complicate matters. The winger has played 25 times in the Championship this season, scoring once and grabbing a pair of assists.
– Newcastle United‘s asking price for the transfer of Anthony Gordon this summer is around £80 million, according to iNews. Bayern Munich have serious interest in the winger and are expected to make a formal bid to sign him at the end of the season. The England international has also been linked with a move to Arsenal, while Liverpool are thought to be long-term admirers.
– Tottenham Hotspur have struck an agreement in principle to sign Bournemouth center back Marcos Senesi on a free transfer, TalkSPORT has revealed. The Argentina international is expected to make the switch to North London at the end of the season, once his contract expires, though Spurs potential relegation could complicate things. Indeed, the proposed transfer hinges on them staying up as Senesi is not prepared to play in the Championship, while Manchester United and Atletico Madrid are also tracking his development.
– Borussia Dortmund have internally discussed a move for West Ham United defender Konstantinos Mavropanos in recent weeks, Sky Germany reports. The 28-year-old is wanted by several Bundesliga and Premier League clubs after a string of impressive recent performances, and is reported to be “seeking a new challenge” so will push to leave the club at the end of the season, despite having a contract until 2028.
EXPERT TAKE
ESPN’s resident scout Tor-Kristian Karlsen looks at Adam Wharton’s skillset.
Less than two years after making his debut, Wharton is now undoubtedly one of the Premier League’s most accomplished distributors of the ball. He constantly asks to receive it and is trusted not to lose possession under pressure. Then, once in control, his pass selection is outstanding: he can hit 35-yard switches with precision, incisive line-breaks through pressure, or well-weighted deliveries played into a teammate’s stride.
The quality of Wharton’s left foot is one standout feature, though it’s also his vision and ability to “map” the play around him that is key, as they allow him to move the ball at tempo with ease and fluidity.
Wharton has also shown he is comfortable in a high-intensity style of football. Under Oliver Glasner at Palace, the England midfielder has performed in an energetic, vertical scheme, where demands on speed of thought and defensive reactions are higher. Though he was impressive last season, he has lifted his key-pass output by roughly 10% this year, while still maintaining accuracy and pass variation. Crucially, the distribution isn’t location-specific either and he is as reliable starting attacks from deep as he is contributing in the final third.
OTHER RUMORS
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Craig Burley reflects on Coventry City’s promotion to the Premier League.
– Newcastle United are ready to cut their losses by letting striker Yoane Wissa leave the club at the end of the season for as little as £15 million after a disappointing £55 million transfer from Brentford. (iNews)
– Wolfsburg have reignited their interest in West Ham United striker Niclas Füllkrug. The Germany international is expected to return to East London this summer after AC Milan opted against activating his £5 million permanent option. (Sky Germany)
– Real Madrid midfielder Dani Ceballos, 29, is a target for Dutch club Ajax after falling down the pecking order in the Spanish capital. (AS)
– Defender David Alaba, 33, is expected to leave Real Madrid when his contract expires at the end of the season. (Fabrizio Romano)
– AC Milan are among the clubs monitoring Sporting center back Ousmane Diomande. (Nicolo Schira)
– Bournemouth and Besiktas are tracking Internazionale winger Luiz Henrique heading into the summer transfer window. (Nicolo Schira)
– Eintracht Frankfurt and Roma are leading the race to sign Bayern Munich youngster Noël Aséko (currently on loan at Hannover), whose transfer is valued around €12 million mark. (Florian Plettenberg).
– Manchester City remain interested in signing Troyes youngster Mathys Detourbet, although no agreement exists between the two clubs at this stage. (Santi Aouna)
– Defender Jack Hendry will be leaving Al Ettifaq on a free transfer this summer. (Fabrizio Romano)
– Everton are expected to try to sign Al Ahli striker Ivan Toney this summer, as he is open to a Premier League return. (Ekrem Konur)
KARACHI: Pakistan and Argentina have held initial discussions over the possibility of an international friendly between their football teams, as part of broader talks on football development cooperation, sources privy to the matter said.
According to sources, officials from the Pakistan Football Federation (PFF) and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) held early-stage discussions during an online exchange, where they reviewed multiple areas of cooperation, including coaching development, technical training programmes and a potential friendly fixture.
Both sides also discussed the possibility of Argentinian coaches visiting Pakistan under a structured development initiative and explored a wider technical collaboration framework aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s football structure.
An official statement shared by Pakistan’s mission in Argentina said a “productive and forward-looking meeting” was arranged and coordinated by the mission, bringing together the PFF and the AFA following AFA’s launch of the “AFA Pakistan” brand and its expressed interest in building “meaningful engagement with Pakistan’s football ecosystem.”
The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Hassan Afzal Khan, was attended by PFF President Syed Mohsin Gilani and his team, along with AFA Marketing Director Francisco Lemmi, the statement said.
According to the statement, Ambassador Hassan said the development presented “an excellent opportunity to strengthen collaboration and contribute to the growth of football in Pakistan”.
It added that Gilani welcomed AFA’s outreach and emphasised the importance of developing the partnership in a “structured and sustainable manner” aimed at long-term cooperation and mutual benefit.
If finalised, the proposed friendly would take place after the Fifa World Cup, with both federations agreeing to continue working on various logistical and technical aspects before any confirmation.
The statement described the engagement as a “promising step toward international collaboration in sports development” that opens new avenues for football advancement in Pakistan.
Sources emphasised that discussions remain at an early stage, with further coordination required before any agreement on a friendly match or formal development programme is reached.
SAO PAULO — Oscar Schmidt, the Basketball Hall of Famer whom his Brazil compatriots know as the “Holy Hand,” died Friday. He was 68.
Schmidt’s family said in a statement that he fought a brain tumor for 15 years “with courage, dignity and resilience … while remaining a role model of determination, generosity and love of life.”
“Oscar leaves a legacy that transcends sport and inspires generations of athletes and admirers in Brazil and worldwide.”
Earlier, Hospital e Maternidade Municipal Santa Ana in the city of Santana de Parnaiba, outside metropolis Sao Paulo, said Schmidt’s family requested privacy without elaborating.
Schmidt never played in the NBA, but he’s beloved in Brazil for committing to the national team for 19 years and becoming one of the most prolific scorers in basketball history. He also starred in a historic win against the United States in the final of the 1987 Pan American Games.
“The biggest player of Brazilian basketball history bids farewell as an absolute symbol of sport, the holder of a trajectory that redefined the boundaries of what was possible in a court,” the Brazil Basketball Confederation said in a statement. “His death closes an era. But his greatness remains.”
Schmidt began his professional career in 1974 and most of it was at home and in Italy, where he became a childhood idol of future great Kobe Bryant.
In 1984, the NBA’s New Jersey Nets drafted Schmidt in the sixth round and he trained with them but declined a contract. At the time, NBA players were not allowed to play for national teams. Schmidt said he had no regrets at a hall of fame induction.
“I was the choice [No.] 144,” he said. His idol Larry Bird laughed next to him. “They came to offer me a no-cut contract to play for the New Jersey Nets. I said thank you very much but if I play one game here I will never again play for my national team.
“Three years later we beat the Americans here in the U.S. Sorry, that was the greatest thing I did in basketball.”
Bird released a statement Friday, saying: “I always admired Oscar and considered him a friend. He was, without a doubt, one of the greatest players to ever play the game. It was an honor of a lifetime when Oscar asked me to present him at his well deserved induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. My sincere condolences to Oscar’s family.”
Portland Trail Blazers coach Tiago Splitter and NBA champion Anderson Varejao, two Brazilians in the league, mourned Schmidt on their social media channels.
Standing 6-foot-8, Schmidt was a keen 3-point shooter in the 1980s when many coaches advised against it. That earned him the nickname “Mão Santa” (Holy Hand). Schmidt didn’t believe he was worthy of the tag.
“I don’t have a holy hand. I have a trained hand,” he used to say in interviews.
Schmidt debuted for Brazil at age 19 in 1977 and made 326 appearances, averaging 23.6 points per game.
He played in a record-tying five Olympics and four World Cups. He’s the all-time leading scorer in both tournaments. He still has seven of the 10 highest-scoring games in Olympic history and he holds the single-game records for points scored in the Olympics (55 vs. Spain in 1988) and World Cup (52 vs. Australia in 1990).
“More than results and medals, Oscar represented values that define the Olympic spirit; dedication, resilience and respect to the opponents,” Brazil’s Olympic committee said in a statement.
The 1987 Pan Am Games victory in Indianapolis marked the first time a U.S. team lost a major international tournament on home soil. Brazil won 120-115 and Schmidt led with 46 points.
Schmidt retired in 2003 at 45. He passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to be the unofficial all-time highest scorer and his known tally of 49,737 points for club and country was eclipsed by LeBron James in 2024.
“For decades, he united the country around the courts with unforgettable shots and indisputable leadership,” Brazil President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said on social media. “His dedication elevated the name of the country and made him an inspiration for generations of athletes and sports lovers.”
Schmidt was inducted into the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2010, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2013 and the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2017.
After retirement, Schmidt became one of his country’s most popular motivational speakers. He often talked about his battle with the brain tumor diagnosed in 2011, his love for Brazil and basketball.
Schmidt is survived by his wife, Maria Cristina Victorino, whom he married in 1981, and two children. One of them, Filipe, spoke about his father’s death on social media.
“Now you rest in peace, dad. You are in the hall of fame of life,” he said.
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