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When PAK Star Stirred Debate With Astonishing 'Naseem Better Than Bumrah' Remark

Aakash Saini

Naseem Shah and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @CricWick/x, AP]Naseem Shah and Jasprit Bumrah [Source: @CricWick/x, AP]

With a rhythmic run-up and an unerring ability to dismantle batting line-ups, Jasprit Bumrah has become the gold standard for modern fast bowling. Apart from being the flagbearer of India’s pace department on challenging overseas Test tours, the speedster also appears to reserve some of his best performances for his nation’s biggest arch-rivals, Pakistan.

Despite delivering two ‘Player of the Match’ awards in India’s last two high-octane World Cup matches against the ‘Men in Green’, a certain Pakistan cricketer still believes Jasprit Bumrah is outshone by his younger neighbor from across the border, Naseem Shah.

Ihsanullah Rated Naseem Better Despite Sustained Rough Patch

Young Pakistan cricketer Ihsanullah once claimed that 22-year-old Naseem Shah is a better fast bowler than Indian pace giant and T20 World Cup winner Jasprit Bumrah. While speaking on the Public Digital News podcast back in late 2024, Ihsanullah stated that Naseem is better than Bumrah on the basis of their overall track record, and defended Naseem’s lacklustre performance off late by terming it as a mere “rough patch” for the young speedster.

Ihsanullah had said:

“If you look at it, Naseem Shah is a better bowler than Jasprit Bumrah. Naseem Shah also performed well in the 2022 World Cup. Sometimes players can go through a rough patch for a year, but Naseem is still better.”

In hindsight, Naseem Shah made his international debut back in November 2019 at a tender age of 16 and has so far played 20 Tests, 29 ODIs and 30 T20I matches for Pakistan, snagging 138 wickets across all formats in the process.

Seemingly boasting impressive numbers in international cricket, young Naseem also delivered a fiery spell of 3-21 against Team India at the 2024 T20 World Cup in New York. However, the Pakistani pace maverick has often failed to seize key moments in big games, something Jasprit Bumrah is quite adept at doing, having built a reputation for thriving under pressure and decisively turning matches in India’s favor.

For instance, Bumrah played a huge role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup triumph, and also finished the 2023 ODI World Cup as one of its highest wicket-takers. Moreover, the legendary fast bowler also dismantled Australian and English batting line-ups in India’s last two overseas Test tours.