Pakistan chief selector Aaqib Javed has made a peculiar comparison. Following the Men in Green’s elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026 in the Super 8 stage, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) held a press conference where the selectors were asked about the team’s performance.
Pakistan selector lauds Bumrah
Aaqib praised India’s ace Jasprit Bumrah but in an odd manner. He labelled him an unusual bowler, someone who isn’t like other fast bowlers in the world. But the real oddity was Aaqib labelling Bumrah as the ‘Usman Tariq of fast bowlers’. Considering the achievement, perhaps it should be the other way around. But one can understand what Aaqib means.
“In today’s era, across this entire World Cup, there is only one bowler like that – Bumrah. Because he is different. He is not a normal bowler. Even his action is unusual. When he comes in to bowl, I always say he is like the Usman Tariq of fast bowlers,” Aaqib told reporters.
However, Aaqib wasn’t taking a dig at Bumrah. In fact, he likened him to two of Pakistan’s greatest fast bowlers, Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis. The former fast bowler feels batters can’t get settled against the Indian quick since he doesn’t allow them any rhythm. His awkward action, accuracy, and hypertension leave them with no answers.
In Aaqib’s opinion, Bumrah stood apart from all the other bowlers in the T20 World Cup. He was the joint-highest wicket-taker, with 14, and ended up as the most economical bowler among Super 8 teams, with 6.21. He’s unique, a one of a kind in world cricket at the moment.
“He bowls so quickly and in such a unique manner that a batter never really finds any flow or rhythm against him. He simply doesn’t allow it. Other than him, tell me one more bowler in this entire World Cup – from any team – whom you can look at and feel satisfied that he carries the reflection of a Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis, or anyone like that. You won’t find one anymore,” he added.
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