(AFP Photo)
Waqar Younis highlighted the difficulty Pakistan’s batsmen faced in dealing with Jasprit Bumrah’s full tosses, emphasizing how the Indian bowler instills fear in their minds, resulting in their inability to make effective connections.
Jasprit Bumrah reaffirmed his status as the premier bowler with a stellar performance against Pakistan in the T20 World Cup encounter. Despite the unfavorable circumstances for India, Bumrah showcased his exceptional skills, taking three crucial wickets for just 24 runs in four overs. His remarkable spell turned the tide for India as Pakistan’s batsmen faltered under pressure during their modest pursuit of 120 runs.
Bumrah showcased precision when India needed it most, seizing the pivotal dismissals of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Iftikhar Ahmed at crucial moments. His tight bowling, evident in the 15 dot balls he delivered, stifled the Pakistan innings, leaving their batsmen feeling overwhelmed. Waqar Younis could shed light on why Bumrah’s tactics were so effective.
According to the iconic former fast bowler, Pakistan’s inability to counter Bumrah stems from their succumbing to the intimidation brought on by his formidable name and reputation.
“I have played against many greats of the game. But when I look at Bumrah, the kind of action he has got. Why cannot they hit Bumrah’s full tosses? It is because of the fear of his name. He puts terror in the batters’ minds. Even if he bowls full tosses, it is hard to hit because the batters are not expecting that,” Waqar told Star Sports.
Waqar highlighted that Pakistan’s innings, concluding at 113 for seven in 20 overs in response to India’s 119 all-out, showcased the challenge posed by Bumrah’s distinctive bowling action. He emphasized how Bumrah’s unorthodox style adds to the difficulty for batsmen in reading and picking his deliveries.
“On top of that, the whippy action, the hyper-extension is very hard to pick. He is one of the bowlers, who is very hard to pick, he is a genius. He bowls well in any kind of conditions. He has got everything covered, he is world-class,” he added
Bumrah spearheaded the bowling attack, receiving solid assistance from Hardik Pandya and Arshdeep Singh, both securing two wickets each, while Axar Patel clinched one. Pakistan faltered in the crucial death overs, leaving them needing 18 runs from the last six balls. Arshdeep remained composed under pressure, securing another memorable victory for India.
