When legendary Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram picks Jasprit Bumrah as his favorite pacer in the modern-day era, you got to think the Indian is special. Akram picked Bumrah as his favorite because of the gun fast bowler’s consistent performances in all three formats.
The ace pacer bagged 15 wickets at an average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17 in the eight matches of the T20I showpiece and thus played a key role in the team’s success.
Bumrah has been lethal in all conditions and has bowled at the top of his game in all formats.
“If I have to pick one, maybe my countrymen might not like… My favourite fast bowler has got to be this Indian great, modern great Jasprit Bumrah. He is something very different, and why he impressed me because he’s a good bowler in all three formats,” Akram said during an interview with AmeriCricketTV.
On the other hand, Akram also showered praise on Saurabh Netravalkar, who impressed one and all with his skillsets in the T20 World Cup while playing for the USA.
“Very impressive. He is still getting wickets. He is an IT engineer, I believe, but now he can play regular. He is not very fast, but he swings the ball and has good variation.”
Asked to pick his favorite batsman, Akram named legendary Sir Vivian Richards. However, the former left-arm pacer named Virat Kohli as his favorite among the current generation.
“I played in the 90s. I have played against all these greats. If you talk about Sunil Gavaskar from India, Martin Crowe from New Zealand, or Allan Border from Australia, all these massive names, but one name pops up, West Indies great Sir Vivian Richards. He was, I think for me, the best ever batter who graced this beautiful game, but then in the 90s, I played against great Sachin Tendulkar, unbelieveable Brian Lara from the West Indies, and the Waugh brothers from Australia.”
“All-time great is Sir Vivian Richards as a batter, but present, if I have to pick, it’s got to be another Indian batter who I really admire, not just on the field but off the field, for his fitness, routine, and mindset—Virat Kohli, one of the biggest names in world cricket.”
