Cricket fans love comparisons, but legendary pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has finally spoken up about claims that Jasprit bumrah is better than him, emphasizing that comparing bowlers across eras is neither fair nor meaningful.
1. ‘Begani Shadi Me Abdulla Diwana’: Akram’s Take on social media Debates
- During his appearance on GEOTV’s ‘Haarna Mana Hai’ show, Akram used a popular urdu saying:
“Begani shadi me Abdulla diwana”
- Loosely translated, it means “Why get involved in someone else’s affair?”, highlighting that neither he nor bumrah is concerned with social media debates comparing them.
- Akram emphasized that fans and pundits are often the ones caught up in these comparisons, not the players themselves.
2. bumrah is a Modern-Day Great
- Akram hailed jasprit bumrah as a wonderful bowler, noting his unique action and remarkable pace.
- He praised the Indian team management for effectively handling Bumrah’s workload, ensuring he remains fit and impactful across all three formats.
- “He is a modern-day great. I did my job in my era, and he is doing his in the current era,” Akram added.
3. Era Differences Make Comparisons Impossible
- According to Akram, comparing his 1990s era with today’s cricket is unfair:
- Akram emphasized that today’s bowlers operate under double pressure, with aggressive batting in Tests, ODIs, and T20s, unlike his era where batters often defended for long periods.
4. The Advantage of Aggressive Batting
- Akram explained that the modern batsmen’s aggressive style creates more wicket-taking opportunities:
“Bowlers now have more chances of picking wickets as batters are playing shots. In our time, batters used to defend all day.”
- This insight highlights how changing formats and strategies in cricket have altered both bowler and batsman dynamics over the years.
5. Career Stats: Akram vs Bumrah
- Wasim Akram’s career:
- 104 Tests: 414 wickets
- 356 ODIs: 502 wickets
- Jasprit bumrah so far:
- 48 Tests: 219 wickets at an astonishing average of 19.82
- ODIs: 149 wickets
- T20Is: 82 wickets
- While Akram dominated in a different era with less aggressive batting and no t20 format, bumrah has made his mark in modern cricket, where batsmen consistently attack.
6. t20 Revolution Changes the Game
- Akram reiterated that T20 cricket has fundamentally changed bowling strategies and statistics.
- Bowlers today have to balance aggression with economy, dealing with relentless attacking batsmen in all formats.
- Comparisons with the past, therefore, do not capture the full picture of skill, strategy, and physical demands.
7. Akram’s Closing Thoughts
- Akram concluded by reminding fans to appreciate both eras separately:
“Social media debates are for fun, but let’s not get carried away. I did my job; bumrah is doing his. Enjoy both.”
- The cricket legend’s words highlight respect across generations, encouraging fans to celebrate cricketing excellence rather than compare players unfairly.
.jpg)
click and follow Indiaherald WhatsApp channel