What’s holding back Pakistan’s pacers from bowling like Jasprit Bumrah? Wasim Akram breaks It down

Former legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram recently delved into the reasons why Pakistan’s fast bowlers face challenges in bowling like the India pacer Jasprit Bumrah. The star fast-bowler produced a breathtaking bowling display in the 29th match of the ODI World Cup 2023 on Sunday where he picked up 3 crucial wickets.

Akram, renowned for his own exceptional fast bowling skills, highlighted several factors contributing to this disparity. He emphasised that despite being coming from an injury Bumrah is bowling exceptionally well. He also added that Pakistan bowlers avoid playing longer format games whereas Bumrah is often seen playing in Test format.

“It’s a very difficult question to answer. Bumrah is one of a kind. Nobody in the world is bowling like Bumrah right now, same with Pakistan’s bowlers. Our bowlers play very little longer-format cricket, while Bumrah plays Test cricket too. After his comeback from injury, he is playing one-day cricket now, but he also plays Test cricket and is equally successful there. If you are not taking wickets in longer format, bowling tough lines then it becomes difficult to fox batters in ODIs too, especially during the 10-40 overs period. That’s where the problem is,” Akram was quoted as saying by the Times of India.

Bumrah is the best in the world right now: Wasim Akram

Akram also heaped praise on Bumrah for his magnificent bowling performance against England which helped India to register their 6th consecutive victory in the ongoing tournament. Akram said Bumrah is the best bowler in the world currently. He talked about how Bumrah brilliantly uses his crease while bowling.

“He is the best in the world right now. Top of the ladder! The control, the pace, the variations, just a complete bowler. A treat to watch. With the new ball, to get this kind of movement on this kind of pitch … pace, carry, follow-through… you name it he’s a complete bowler,” Akram was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

“When Bumrah is bowling to a left-hander from around the wicket and hits the ball on the seam… And when he’s bowling from wide of the crease, the batter will think the ball is coming inside. He will play for that angle, but the ball hits the pitch and moves away rather than coming in. Most of the time, you are going to be beaten. When I used to bowl outswingers like that to right-handed batters with the new ball, sometimes I couldn’t control the ball also. But Bumrah definitely has better control with the new ball than myself,” he added.