'Same Spot, In And Out' - Wasim Akram Lauds India's Firing Pace Attack 

image-lor0l3hxShami, Bumrah and Siraj have formed the best pace attack of World Cup (Twitter)

Wasim Akram reminisced Mohammad Shami's classic set-up of England middle-order giant Ben Stokes in an earlier ICC World Cup 2023 clash to assert why India's pace battery has retained its dominance at the marquee competition. 

The Pakistan pace legend recalled Shami's 11 deliveries of sustained pressure and hostility against Stokes in Lucknow before crashing one onto his stumps after the English left-hander was forced to try and break free during his team's unsuccessful run-chase.

Wasim said Shami showcased remarkable ability to move the ball both ways from the same spot, which meant Stokes was never certain of the direction of the movement and ultimately had to play the rather ordinary hoick to a delivery that jagged back into him.

The 'Sultan of Swing' feels it's a quality that has made Shami and his Indian pace partners Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj stand-out from the rest of opposition pace attacks and unleash their wrath on batting units. 

Wasim Hails India's Devastating Pace Battery 

After bundling Sri Lanka for a horrible 55 all out in Mumbai, India's rounded and firing set of pacers skittled out the stronger South African batting unit for an embarrassing 83 all out in Kolkata and continued the mighty Indian juggernaut up to a 8-0 winning streak. 

While Shami has taken a remarkable 16 wickets in just four matches since his comeback amidst Hardik Pandya's injury struggles, Bumrah has reinforced his status as an unplayable all-phase bank with 15 scalps in eight innings. 

"For starters, as a bowler, the confidence at this level has got to be like 'I am one of the best', and these guys (Indian pacers) have that confidence. Once you have that, then all the hard work you have done over the years (pays off)," said Akram on Pakistan-based 'A Sports'.

"Stokes had no clue what to do. Look at his length, came around the wicket to seam (the ball) out and then last ball he brought in. But his length and seam position never changed, off-stump or top of off-stump. Wahi se andar, wahi se bahar (moving the ball in and out from the same spot). That's why he is so difficult."

"Bumrah swings with his wrist, Shami with seam; and obviously he has got good pace as well, 142-145 kmph," he added.