‘Wahi se andar, wahi se bahar’ – Former Pakistan pacer decodes Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammad Shami’s bowling strengths

In the ongoing ODI World Cup 2023, Indian bowlers have been phenomenal. Throughout the tournament, from pacers to spinners, all Indian bowlers have been phenomenal. However, since the joining of Mohammad Shami, the strength of the bowling unit has increased exponentially.

Despite appearing in just half of India’s matches in the ongoing ODI World Cup, Mohammed Shami stands as the team’s top wicket-taker, courtesy of his impressive performance. Having been included in the starting eleven after Hardik Pandya’s injury, the right-arm pacer has claimed two five-wicket hauls in the four games he has played so far.

However, former Pakistan skipper Wasim Akram praised Shami and compared his bowling prowess with Jasprit Bumrah. “For starters, as a bowler, the confidence at this level has got to be like ‘I am one of the best’, and these guys (Indian pacers) have that confidence. Once you have that, then all the hard work you have done over the years will pay off,” said Akram, speaking on the news channel A Sports.

“It just goes straight and kisses the pitch”, says Wasim Akram

Further explaining Shami’s bowling strengths, Akram said, “Shami’s every delivery hits the seam; it’s not wobbly; it just goes straight and kisses the pitch. He doesn’t bang the ball in. Look at his length. He came around the wicket to seam (the ball) out, and then the last ball he brought in. But his length and seam position never changed, off-stump or top-off-stump. Wahi se andar, wahi se bahar (moving the ball in and out from the same spot). That’s why he is so difficult.”

Further speaking about Jasprit Bumrah Akram, he compared his swing and seam abilities with those of Mohammad Shami. Wasim Akram said, “Bumrah swings with his wrist, Shami with his seam, and he has got good pace as well, 142-145 kmph.” It’s worth noting that India will now face the Netherlands in their last league game on Sunday, November 12, at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.