Lahore, March 14: Former fast bowler and Pakistan selector Akib Javed has drawn a comparison between Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah and Pakistan’s spinner Usman Tariq. Javed praised Bumrah, stating that he is akin to Usman Tariq for fast bowlers, emphasizing that no batsman can find their rhythm against him.
Bumrah had an outstanding performance in the T20 World Cup 2026, claiming 14 wickets in 8 matches, making him one of the highest wicket-takers in the tournament. Javed remarked that Bumrah is a unique bowler who prevents batsmen from settling into their game. During a press conference, he stated, “Bumrah is a different kind of bowler. He is not an ordinary bowler.”
He further elaborated, “Even his action is unique. When he comes to bowl, I always say he is like Usman Tariq for fast bowlers. He bowls with such speed and in such an unusual manner that no batsman can ever find their rhythm against him.”
According to Javed, Bumrah holds the same stature as former Pakistani fast bowlers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis did in their prime. He challenged anyone to identify another bowler in the current World Cup who resembles the prowess of Akram or Younis, stating, “You won’t find anyone like that.”
Currently, the Pakistan team is engaged in an ODI series in Bangladesh. During this time, Javed noted that losing to India in major tournaments is no longer a new experience for Pakistan. He remarked that matches between India and Pakistan are always significant, but Pakistan has never managed to defeat India in the World Cup. Despite numerous encounters since 1975, the record remains heavily in favor of India, with Pakistan trailing 8-0 (8-1 in T20 World Cups).