Former Pakistan fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz has rated Jasprit Bumrah as the best bowler in the world and feels his absence has been deeply missed in the ongoing Champions Trophy. Bumrah was ruled out of the eight-team tournament due to a lower-back injury, which he suffered in the fifth Test match against Australia and he was replaced by Harshit Rana in the Indian squad.
Bumrah was sensational on the Australian tour, taking 32 wickets in five Test matches at a splendid average of 13.06. The gun fast bowler had continuously breathed down the neck of the Australian batters and was awarded Player of the Series.
Meanwhile, despite Bumrah’s absence, India has qualified for the semifinals of the Champions Trophy after wins against Bangladesh and Pakistan.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Nawaz said, “I must tell you, he is the best bowler in the world today. Unfortunately, he’s not fit. Otherwise, we could have seen more of him, you know, like he did in Australia. Outstanding job. It’s a shame that he’s not fit for this Champions Trophy.”
On the other hand, Nawaz reckons Shaheen Shah Afridi has lost his rhythm since he suffered a knee injury.
He added, “Since he had an injury some time ago, he has not been the same bowler. His pace has dropped, and his line and length are not the same. He could not bowl too many deliveries like the one he bowled to your captain Sharmaji (Rohit Sharma). And towards the end, he was gone. He gives away too many runs.”
After Pakistan suffered a six-wicket loss against India, Nawaz questioned skipper Mohammad Rizwan’s body language and also felt the team made poor selection decisions.
“There’s no doubt about that. When I watched the toss, I saw the reaction of the Pakistan captain (Mohammad Rizwan). He looked lost somewhere. I don’t know if it was due to pressure but he didn’t look the same as he generally does.
“Unlike in other matches, he wasn’t blabbering at all; he was just quiet. I don’t know what went wrong there. Pakistan’s selection was very poor. If there is no proper selection and a proper team is not picked, the other team will always be far ahead of you.”
Pakistan’s last match of the tournament against Bangladesh was abandoned due to rain.
