Legendary Pakistani pacer Wasim Akram, who was the first bowler in the world to take 500 wickets in ODIs and also led the Men in Green to the ODI World Cup final in 1999, has ignored his countryman Shaheen Shah Afridi to pick a 30-year-old Indian pacer as his favourite bowler. According to Akram, who picked up more than 900 wickets during his international career, Bumrah is his current favourite bowler because he is a good bowler in all three formats of the game.
“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.
Bumrah, who made his international debut in January 2016, is the only bowler in the world to reach the No. 1 position in all three formats of the game. The 30-year-old achieved the feat after his super show in the second Test between India and England earlier this year.
The ‘Sultan of Swing’ also praised USA pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, who made headlines with his impressive bowling in the T20 World Cup 2024.
“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."
During the interview, Akram was also asked about his favourite batsman, and in reply, he mentioned West Indies legend Viv Richards.
“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."
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