CWC 2023: “Baby bowler na kahu to aur kya kahu,” Abdul Razzaq sticks to his old comment about Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah is making the batters dance to his tunes in the Cricket World Cup 2023.

By Salman Anjum - 01 Nov, 2023

India pacer Jasprit Bumrah has been bowling exceptionally well ever since his comeback to international cricket following the back surgery.

The right-arm quick played an instrumental role in India’s Asia Cup triumph last month and he is now making the batters dance to his tunes in the Cricket World Cup 2023.

Bumrah has taken 14 wickets from six games at an astonishing average of 15.07 in this World Cup. He has impressed one and all with his ability to take wickets in all phases of the game.

In the midst of his remarkable performances, former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq was recently asked about his old comment, where he termed Jasprit Bumrah as a 'baby bowler'.

Speaking to Cricket Pakistan in 2019, Razzaq had said: “I have played against great bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram, so Bumrah is a baby bowler in front of me and I could have easily dominated and attacked him.”

Razzaq, who is part of the 'Hasna Mana Hai' show on Geo News, was asked to reflect on his comments after Bumrah’s match-winning spell (3/32) against England in Lucknow on October 29.

"Whatever I said, it was interpreted in the wrong way. The question was how do you see Glenn McGrath, Wasim Akram, Jasprit Bumrah, Shoaib Akhtar. Unke samne, woh baby bowler hai (He is a baby bowler  in front of them) Maine ye kabhi nhi kaha ki Bumrah acha bowler nhi hai. Par jab aap unhe Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath se compare karenge to unhe baby bowler na kahu to aur kya kahu. (I have never said that he is not a good bowler. But if you compare him with Wasim Akram, Glenn McGrath, you tell me if I am wrong in calling him baby bowler). Jab main team main aaya tha, main bhi bachcha tha Wasim Akram ke samne (When I came into the Pakistan team, I was also a baby in front of Wasim Akram)," Razzaq said on the show.

Meanwhile, Pakistan pace legend Wasim Akram has hailed Jasprit Bumrah as the best fast bowler in the world.

"Bumrah ne gumrah kar diya..kya ball seam ho raha hein..beautiful. Around the wicket, unplayable to the left handers. The length...That's how you create pressure," Akram said in a discussion on A Sports after the India versus England match.

"From the first over itself, he’s [Bumrah] bowling inswings and a couple of outswings. His length and seam positions are impeccable. Yorkers at will...He is the best in the world right now. Top of the ladder, the way he is performing, the control, pace, the variations, he is just a complete bowler. Treat to watch," he added.

By Salman Anjum - 01 Nov, 2023

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