July 16, 2025

Fast Bowling Speed +12 mph in just two years: Furqan Ahmed Case Study

Fast Bowling Speed +12 mph in just two years: Furqan Ahmed Case Study

At Cricfit, we’re passionate about proving that serious performance gains are possible for young cricketers. One of our best examples is Furqan Ahmed, a 12-year-old bowler playing for Essex CCC who increased his bowling speed by an incredible 12 mph over two years.

Furqan Ahmed’s Journey: From 57 mph to Almost 70 mph

I first met Furqan through our work with the Lords Youth Programme in 2023. He joined our Junior Bowler Programme and showed extraordinary commitment completing pretty much every single session over the 11 week training period.

Despite impressive results in most of our performance tests, interestingly, this didn’t immediately translate to bowling faster. We weren’t worried though as I often explain to players and parents: “Speed often lags behind strength and power. You can’t chase speed without first creating the physical tools to produce it.”

Over the next 18 months, Furqan Ahmed continued the programme. Slowly but surely, the power he’d built started transferring into bowling speed improving from 57 mph in 2023 to 69 mph in 2025. At just 12 years old, he’s now bowling speeds that leave other kids struggling to keep up.

Many cricketers, and parents, want instant results. But performance gains, especially in fast bowling, rarely happen overnight. It’s common to see improvements in power metrics like jump height before those gains show up on the speed gun.

Here’s why:

Neuromuscular adaptation: It takes time for the nervous system to coordinate faster, more powerful movements.
Movement efficiency: Young bowlers need time to refine how they convert strength into fast, smooth bowling actions.
Growth and maturation: For juniors, body changes during growth spurts can temporarily disrupt technique before breakthroughs occur.

Don’t get greedy chasing speed. Stick to the process. If you consistently show up to a well-designed S&C programme, results will come.

Furqan's success isn’t magic. If you want to follow the same steps, Check out the Cricfit Junior Bowler Programme

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Sam Hunt

Director

Sam started Cricfit in March 2020 just as lockdown began with the simple goal of educating Cricketers about the physical side of the game. Sam became a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist (NSCA CSCS) in June 2021 & ECB Core Coach with a Sport & Exercise Science undergraduate & Sport Business Management Masters degree behind him. Having played Cricket to a high level during his youth and still to a premier league club standard, Cricfit is the combination of his two main passions in life, Cricket & fitness.