Cricket boasts two of the most dangerous bowlers in the world right now: Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Despite Bumrah's current injury, he has demonstrated exceptional skills and risen to prominence as India's lead bowler. Meanwhile, Shaheen, a newcomer to international cricket, proves to be just as sharp as any other world-class pacer. He has the potential to turn the game in a single spell and is considered the future of Pakistan's bowling attack.
Former Pakistani cricketer Abdul Razzaq has already weighed in on the comparison between the two, stating that Bumrah doesn't come close to Shaheen's level. "Shaheen is very good. Bumrah doesn't come near him," Razzaq said in a recent interview. When asked about other young pacers Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen, Razzaq responded, "All three are good."
India's captain, Rohit Sharma, is uncertain about Bumrah's status, as the pacer suffered a back injury that kept him out of the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup in 2022. He was slated to return in the T20I series against Sri Lanka, but that didn't happen as he couldn't fully recover. Bumrah will also miss the first two Tests against Australia, but there is hope that he may play the final two matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Sharma stated that the team is cautious with Bumrah's injury and doesn't want to take any risks, as there is much more cricket to be played this year. The team and medical staff are closely monitoring Bumrah's progress and giving him as much time as he needs. "We are in constant touch with the physios and doctors at NCA. We will monitor, and the medical team will give him as much time as he wants," Sharma said.
