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Legendary Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram showered high praise on Jasprit Bumrah after the Indian skipper delivered a fiery spell on Day 1 of the Perth Test against Australia. Bumrah’s brilliance with the ball left cricketing fans and experts alike in awe, with Akram hailing him as the “best bowler in the world.”
Akram’s On-Air Applause
Commentating during Bumrah’s sensational spell, Akram was unable to contain his admiration. “He is the best bowler in the world!” he exclaimed, lauding the stand-in Indian skipper’s exceptional skill and ability to dominate the opposition. Fellow commentator and former Australian cricketer Kerry O’Keefe echoed similar sentiments, describing Bumrah’s spell as “the most inspired fast bowling performance by a captain.”
Masterclass in Bowling
After the day’s play, Akram elaborated on Bumrah’s excellence during an interview with Star Sports, emphasizing his versatility and tactical acumen.
“Bumrah was at the top of his game, reading the Australian batters brilliantly. His spell was a masterclass in understanding conditions and exploiting weaknesses. He swung the ball both ways, used the crease intelligently, and adapted his length perfectly. That’s what makes him the best bowler across all formats.”
Akram pointed out how Bumrah outwitted the Australian batters, particularly his clever tactic of pitching the ball up when they anticipated short deliveries.
Turning the Game Around
Bumrah’s figures of 4/17 in 9 overs wreaked havoc on the Australian lineup. He dismissed key batters, including Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, and Steve Smith, trapping the latter for a golden duck—a dismissal that sparked conversations worldwide.
Thanks to Bumrah’s heroics, India made a remarkable comeback after being bowled out for 150 earlier in the day. By stumps, Australia were left reeling at 67/7, with Alex Carey (19)* and Mitchell Starc (6)* fighting to salvage the innings.
A Leader Leading by Example
In what was a testing day for India, Bumrah’s inspired captaincy and lethal bowling not only revitalized the team’s morale but also reinforced his reputation as one of the most formidable pacers in modern cricket. As Akram aptly summed up:
“This is a bowler who leads from the front—calm under pressure, lethal in execution, and always a step ahead of the batters.”
India now stands in a commanding position in the first Test at Perth, with Day 2 promising more high-octane cricket.
