Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram has brushed off comparisons with India spearhead Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah is arguably among the greatest bowlers of this generation, leading the India attack across formats. He was at his very best in the England series despite only playing 3 Tests, prompting comparisons with Akram.
Impossible to compare bowlers from different eras: Wasim Akram
Jasprit Bumrah finished with 14 wickets in 3 Tests in the Anderson Tendulkar Trophy. The Indian spearhead picked up 2 fifers and became the most successful Asian pacer in English conditions. Bumrah went past Wasim Akram’s tally of 51 wickets in the UK, cementing his legacy as one of the greats.
Bumrah’s performance was as such that former India pacer Varun Aaron suggested that he was ‘better than Wasim Akram’. The Mumbai Indians’ star’s dominance over batsmen has often drawn those comparisons, with the Pakistan legend having a similar aura during his playing days.
Akram however does not pay heed to those comparisons. Speaking on on the Geo News program ‘Hasna Mana Hai’, the former Pakistan captain suggested that it was impossible to compare bowlers from different generations. However, he reserved praise for the India superstar, calling him a genius in his own right.
“Jasprit Bumrah is one of the greatest bowlers in the world. No doubt about it. He has a very unusual action and also has pace. As I said, comparing bowlers from the ’90s to now is impossible. He is a right-arm bowler, I was a left-arm bowler,” Akram said as quoted by GeoNews.
The former Pakistan star believes such comparisons are fueled by social media and former cricketers. Akram acknowledged the modern talent, but steered clear of any comparisons.
“We keep seeing debates on social media. Like meddling in someone else’s wedding – people are going crazy. Neither does it matter to me, nor does it matter to him. These former cricketers are fighting among themselves. He is a modern great. We were from our own era. We did our work, different bowlers did theirs. But I must say, this bowler is very interesting,” he added.
