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'Indian Pacers Best In The World' - Wasim Akram Hails Praise For Bumrah, Shami & Siraj

image-locd9xd1Bumrah & Shami shared 7 wickets between them vs ENG (AP Photo)

Wasim Akram bestowed the "best in the world" tag to Indian seamers Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Mohammed Siraj after they triggered a decisive new-ball collapse against England in the ICC World Cup 2023 league stage triumph on Sunday (October 29). 

The Pakistan legend took note of how Bumrah and Shami ran through the English line-up after India endured a rare failure as a batting unit. Rohit Sharma and company could manage just 229/9 in their 50 overs on an excessively dry and turning Lucknow pitch but their seamers came in roaring to dismiss England for a disastrous 129 all out. 

While Bumrah opened the game up with the successive wickets of Dawid Malan and Joe Root before finishing the proceedings with a yorker past the defence of tailender Mark Wood, Shami ran through England's vaunted middle-order for his four-fer, arguably his best spell in terms of lengths and overall attacking strategy. 

Wasim, who has seen India struggle to produce a decent line of pacers in his heyday, lauded the Bumrah-Shami pairing and appreciated the competitiveness with which young Siraj ran in without a breakthrough to show for his efforts on the night. 


Wasim Akram Hails India's Pace Attack 

Speaking during Pakistan-based 'A Sports', Wasim said India's pace attack robbed the enterprising England batting unit of the belief they may have carried heading into the run-chase after restricting the tournament hosts to a below par score. 

The pace, hostility and skill on display were remarkable as Bumrah and Shami attacked without losing control and gave England batters no respite even when they tried to disrupt their lines and lengths. 

"Indian pacers look brilliant, they look best in the world starting from the leader of the pack Bumrah, Siraj ran in and Shami did the last nail in the coffin for England," Wasim said before applauding skipper Rohit for guiding his troops perfectly in the field and coming up with an excellent knock of 87 on a tricky pitch in the first half. 

"We all thought that India was lagging and England had a chance but the wicket was different from what we usually have seen in this World Cup. The pitch was difficult to bat on especially when India was batting."

"Rohit said in the post-match that he realised with his experience that one has to stay there longer. He led from the front, 87 off 101 balls, it was the need of the hour," he added.