India speedster Jasprit Bumrah has come a long way after his international debut in January 2016. He currently holds the No. 2 position in ICC ODI rankings for bowlers and occupies the 7th spot in Test bowling rankings.
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Last year, Bumrah played an instrumental role in India’s maiden Test series victory on Australian soil with 21 wickets to his name. He then scripted India’s 2-0 Test series win in West Indies, claiming 13 scalps at a phenomenal average of 9.23 including a hat-trick.
Overall, Bumrah has represented India in 14 Tests so far, taking 68 wickets at a phenomenal average of 20.33 with 5 five-wicket hauls. In 64 ODIs, he has picked up 104 wickets at an impressive average of 24.43 while his T20I record reads – 59 scalps from 50 games at an economy rate of 6.66.
Looking at his numbers, the Indian pacer certainly seems like a tough opponent to face. No wonder, Pakistan opener Shan Masood is eager to test himself against Bumrah.
Speaking on a Youtube channel Cricast, Masood was asked which bowlers he would want to face. In reply, he said: “I think when we talk about fast-bowlers around the world; I have never played against Bumrah. That is a challenge that I would want to take on.”
Due to political hostilities, India and Pakistan have not played a Test series since 2007 but the arch-rivals do face each other in white-ball cricket in events such as World Cup, Champions Trophy, Asia Cup, among others.
Notably, Shan Masood is a regular feature in Pakistan’s Test team and hasn’t managed to secure his spots in the limited-overs sides.
Commenting on the best bowlers that he has faced in his career so far, Masood said: “Talking about the best bowlers that I have played against in recent times, my personal favourite has always been Dale Steyn. Australia’s Pat Cummins is also up there. Looking at the past I would have to name Rabada and Anderson has also taken my wicket many times.”
The 30-year-old further went on to pick Cummins as the toughest bowler he has faced.
“I found Pat Cummins to be the toughest bowler to face. He is the number one Test bowler in the world today. The title itself tells the story about how good he is,” he said.
