Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of Pakistan’s fastest and most exciting left-arm pacers. Known for his incredible pace and ability to swing the ball, Shaheen can bowl at speeds of 154.6 km/h (96.0 mph). His fastest delivery came during the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup in a match against the West Indies. Whether in a World Cup, the Pakistan Super League (PSL), or a Test match, Shaheen has repeatedly shown that he is a bowler to be feared. His combination of speed and swing makes him a tough challenge for any batsman, and he continues to shine in all game formats. Let’s check Shaheen Afridi’s Fastest Ball and his comparison with other top bowlers.
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What is Shaheen Afridi’s Fastest Ball Ever?
Shaheen Afridi’s fastest recorded delivery is an impressive 154.6 km/h (96.0 mph). This lightning-fast ball was bowled during the 2021 ICC T20 World Cup, in a match against the West Indies. It was a standout moment in the game, showcasing Shaheen’s incredible pace and power.
Shaheen Afridi’s fastest recorded delivery in PSL is 151.2 km/h (93.9 mph). This impressive ball was bowled during the 2021 Pakistan Super League (PSL) while playing for Lahore Qalandars against Karachi Kings.
The delivery occurred in one of the high-intensity encounters of PSL 2021, where Shaheen, the captain of Lahore Qalandars, was at his fiery best. PSL’s match technology officially recorded his pace on this delivery, further showcasing his skill and power as a fast bowler.
Shaheen’s blistering pace was a key factor in the match, making him a serious threat to Karachi’s batsmen. His pace and ability to bowl at speeds exceeding 150 km/h, combined with his precision, continue to earn him recognition on the global cricket stage. This ball was not just a display of speed, but also a testament to his growing reputation as one of the most feared pacers in world cricket.
Top 5 Fastest Deliveries by Shaheen Afridi
| Speed (km/h) | Match | Date | Opposition | Format |
| 154.6 | Pakistan vs West Indies | Oct 23, 2021 | West Indies | T20 World Cup |
| 151.2 | Lahore Qalandars vs Karachi Kings | 2021 | Karachi Kings | PSL |
| 151.0 | Pakistan vs South Africa | Apr 2021 | South Africa | Test Match |
| 150.4 | Pakistan vs Bangladesh | Apr 2021 | Bangladesh | Test Match |
| 150.1 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Jul 2022 | Sri Lanka | ODI |
How Does Shaheen Compare to Other Fast Bowlers?
| Bowler | Top Speed (km/h) |
| Shaheen Afridi | 154.6 |
| Haris Rauf | 154.4 |
| Mitchell Starc | 160.4 |
| Lockie Ferguson | 157.3 |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 153.6 |
Shaheen Afridi vs Haris Rauf
Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf bow at incredible speeds, often touching or surpassing 150 km/h. Shaheen’s fastest delivery was 154.6 km/h, slightly faster than Haris Rauf’s 154.4 km/h. However, Shaheen stands out more because of his ability to swing the ball. While Rauf relies mainly on his pace, Shaheen uses his speed to get the ball to move late, especially in conditions that favor swing, such as in Test matches. This combination of pace and swing makes Shaheen more dangerous and unpredictable than Rauf, who is more focused on raw speed.
Shaheen Afridi vs Mitchell Starc
Mitchell Starc is one of the fastest bowlers in the world, and his top speed of 160.4 km/h is higher than Shaheen’s 154.6 km/h. Starc’s raw pace gives him a clear advantage in terms of speed. However, Shaheen is not just about pace. He is also a skilled ball swinger, able to get movement in both directions. Starc is also known for his swing, but Shaheen is particularly dangerous in conditions where the ball swings a lot, such as in England or New Zealand. In places like Australia, where bounce and pace are more important, Starc might have the edge. But in conditions that favor swing, Shaheen’s all-around skill gives him a slight advantage.
Shaheen Afridi vs Lockie Ferguson
Like Haris Rauf, Lockie Ferguson is another bowler who relies on his pace. His fastest delivery was clocked at 157.3 km/h, a little faster than Shaheen’s 154.6 km/h. Ferguson’s pace makes him very dangerous, especially in limited-overs cricket, where he can intimidate batsmen with sheer speed. However, like Rauf, Ferguson doesn’t swing the ball as much as Shaheen. While Ferguson’s pace is a big advantage in conditions that help fast bowlers, Shaheen’s ability to swing the ball and control his deliveries make him more versatile, especially in longer formats like Test cricket.
Shaheen Afridi vs Jasprit Bumrah
Jasprit Bumrah is one of the best bowlers in world cricket, known for his accuracy, yorkers, and reverse swing. His fastest delivery is 153.6 km/h, slightly slower than Shaheen’s top speed of 154.6 km/h. Bumrah’s unique action and ability to reverse the ball make him deadly in limited-overs cricket, especially in the death overs. While Shaheen can bowl with pace and swing, Bumrah’s skill at generating reverse swing and his precision at the death overs make him a more effective bowler in T20s and ODIs. However, Shaheen’s combination of swing and speed in Test cricket makes him more dangerous, especially in conditions where movement is key.
Evolution of Shaheen Afridi’s Bowling Speed
Shaheen Afridi’s bowling speed has evolved over the years, from his early days in under-19 cricket to his current performances as one of the fastest bowlers in the world.
In his early career, Shaheen bowled at around 135–140 km/h speeds. As a young fast bowler in the under-19s, he showed promise with height and natural pace. However, his speed was not as high as it is today. Over time, Shaheen worked hard on his fitness and strength. This helped him consistently increase his pace and bowl at over 150 km/h.
Post-2020, Shaheen has made significant improvements in his speed and fitness. His fitness, strength, and recovery work have allowed him to bowl faster without losing control. These improvements have helped him bowl at his peak, regularly clocking over 150 km/h, making him one of the fastest left-arm pacers in the world today. His pace and skill to swing the ball have made him a key player for Pakistan.
However, Shaheen suffered a knee injury during the 2022 T20 World Cup, which affected his pace. Since then, his speed has decreased, and he has been bowling in the 130s, rarely touching the 140 km/h mark. The injury has impacted his pace, but he continues to be an important bowler for Pakistan, using his skills and experience to remain effective.
Fastest Balls in PSL History: Where Does Shaheen Rank?
The Pakistan Super League (PSL) has seen some of the fastest bowlers in action, with players regularly touching speeds above 150 km/h. Shaheen Shah Afridi is one of those bowlers who has made a mark with his speed. But where does he stand regarding the fastest deliveries in PSL history? Let’s look at the top 10 fastest balls bowled in PSL history and Shaheen’s position on that list.
Here’s the ranking of the top 5–10 fastest balls in PSL history:
| Rank | Bowler | Speed (km/h) | Year | Match |
| 10 | Mohammad Musa | 148 | 2020 | PSL 2020 |
| 9 | Shaun Tait | 148.4 | 2016 | PSL 2016 |
| 8 | Naseem Shah | 148.7 | 2022 | PSL 2022 |
| 7 | Mohammad Amir | 149 | 2016 | PSL 2016 |
| 6 | Aamir Jamal | 150 | 2023 | PSL 2023 |
| 5 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | 151.2 | 2021 | PSL 2021 |
| 4 | Wahab Riaz | 151.6 | 2023 | PSL 2023 |
| 3 | Mohammad Hasnain | 152.6 | 2021 | PSL 2021 |
| 2 | Ihsanullah | 152.6 | 2023 | PSL 2023 |
| 1 | Haris Rauf | 154.7 | 2022 | PSL 2022 |
Shaheen’s Ranking
Shaheen Shah Afridi ranks 5th on this list, with his fastest delivery clocked at 151.2 km/h during the 2021 PSL. This places him just behind Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hasnain, who have recorded slightly higher speeds. Haris Rauf takes the top spot with a blistering 154.7 km/h.
While Shaheen may not hold the record for the fastest ball in PSL history, his speed and ability to swing the ball and bowl at crucial moments has made him a standout pacer in the tournament.
Fastest Pakistani Bowlers in History
Where Does Shaheen Stand?
Shaheen Shah Afridi is known for his fast bowling and the ability to swing the ball both ways. His fastest recorded delivery is 154.8 km/h, which puts him among the fastest bowlers in cricket today. While he may not have the absolute highest speed, Shaheen’s skill to swing the ball at high speeds makes him a dangerous bowler.
Here’s a list of the fastest deliveries by top bowlers:
Shoaib Akhtar – 161.3 km/h
Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery ever bowled in cricket, reaching a speed of 161.3 km/h.
Haris Rauf – 156.3 km/h
Haris Rauf has recorded a speed of 156.3 km/h, making him one of the fastest bowlers in the modern game.
Wahab Riaz – 154.5 km/h
Wahab Riaz, known for his aggressive bowling, has reached 154.5 km/h with his pace.
Shaheen Shah Afridi – 154.8 km/h
Shaheen’s fastest delivery is 154.8 km/h, placing him among the top fast bowlers. His combination of speed and swing makes him a tough bowler to face.
Although Shaheen may not have the absolute fastest ball, his ability to swing the ball at such high speeds makes him one of the most effective fast bowlers in the world.
Conclusion
Shaheen Afridi’s fastest recorded delivery is 154.6 km/h, placing him among the world’s fastest bowlers. His pace is impressive, but his ability to swing the ball at high speeds makes him even more dangerous. This unique combination of pace and swing has made Shaheen a key player for Pakistan. With continued focus on his fitness and recovery, Shaheen has the potential to get even faster in the future, making him an even bigger threat in world cricket.