Salman Mirza’s Fastest Ball: The Rise of Pakistan’s New Speed Sensation

Fast bowling has always been a matter of pride for Pakistan cricket, a tradition embodied by the likes of Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar, and more recently, Shaheen Afridi. In 2025, a new name is resonating in the world of pace: Salman Mirza, the left-arm speedster from Lahore, who is turning heads with his explosive pace and lethal deliveries.

The cricketing world is abuzz after Mirza, in a recent international series, clocked his fastest ball at a staggering 148 km/h—a delivery hailed as the quickest in Bangladesh cricket history during a Test match—and one that cements his place among the elite fast bowlers of his generation.​

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Early Life and Journey to the Top

Born on January 1, 1994, in Lahore, Salman Mirza’s journey started like countless others: playing tape-ball cricket on local streets, dreaming of donning the green jersey. His left-arm action, natural speed, and ability to swing the ball soon caught the eyes of the Lahore Qalandars’ talent scouts.

Selected through the 2017 Player Development Program, Mirza began his professional climb playing for Lahore in the PDP tournament before representing Faisalabad and, more recently, making international headlines with the Pakistan national team.​

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Debut and International Career

In 2025, after years of proving himself in domestic tournaments and the Pakistan Super League (PSL), Salman Mirza earned his national call-up:

• T20I debut: July 20, 2025, vs. Bangladesh at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur.​

• Mirza quickly established himself as a reliable wicket-taker, impressing with sharp swing and bounce, troubling even seasoned batsmen.

With a bowling style akin to Shaheen Afridi but with a unique edge of his own, Mirza clocks regular speeds between 88 to 93 mph (142–150 km/h), putting batters on the defensive and swinging matches in Pakistan’s favor.​

 

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The 148 km/h Fastest Ball: Breaking Records

Mirza’s standout moment came during a 2025 Test against New Zealand in Bangladesh, where he unleashed a sensational delivery measured at 148 km/h (92 mph)—the fastest ever bowled in Bangladeshi Test cricket to date.​

• The delivery not only earned instant respect from cricket analysts but also made him the center of global sporting attention.

• Mirza’s consistency in reaching 145+ km/h has prompted comparisons to Shoaib Akhtar’s legendary pace.

• He has already staked his claim for future series against top teams such as India in high-stakes tournaments like the Asia Cup.​

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Key Strengths and Bowling Style

What makes Salman Mirza a unique challenge for batsmen?

• Left-Arm Angle: Similar to Afridi, Mirza delivers from wide of the crease, angling the ball into right-handed batsmen and swinging it away—a nightmare under lights.

• Late Swing and Seaming Ability: Particularly dangerous in the powerplay, he can seam and swing at high speed, drawing nicks or rattling stumps.

• Deadly Bouncer: His speed allows him to surprise batters with sharp, chest-high bouncers, tempting rash pull or hook shots.

• Death Over Specialist: Mirza has a knack for yorkers and slow bouncers that confuse set batters in T20 death overs.​

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Recent Performances

Mirza’s stats reflect his increasing impact:

• T20 Internationals: 5 matches, 8 wickets, best figures of 3/20, economy under 7, average 16.75.​

• PSL: 6 matches, 11 wickets, strike rate 10.9, with two 3+ wicket-hauls.​

• First-class and List A: Strong contributions for Lahore and Central Punjab, with 31 wickets from just 6 First-Class games.​

His wickets often include key top-order batsmen, marking him as a go-to bowler in high-pressure situations.

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The Road Ahead: Can He Lead the Fast-Bowling Attack?

With Pakistan’s legacy of developing world-class fast bowlers, Mirza is tipped for a long run at the international level. Experts believe:

• If he stays fit and avoids injury, Mirza could become a spearhead for the Pakistan attack in Test, ODI, and T20 formats.

• He is also likely to feature in franchise leagues worldwide, thanks to his left-arm pace and natural wicket-taking ability.

• The upcoming series against India and participation in global T20 tournaments will be key to Mirza’s rise as a household name.​

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Impact on Young Cricketers and the Future of Fast Bowling

Salman Mirza’s journey from street cricket to the global stage is already inspiring Pakistan’s next generation of bowlers. His story, much like Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf, signals that with raw talent, discipline, and the right opportunity, a young cricketer can dream of bowling the world’s fastest deliveries.