Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistan fast bowler, recently shared his thoughts on modern-day pacers like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mark Wood. While he admires their talent, he also criticizes the lack of aggression and flair in today’s cricket. Akhtar reminisces about the bygone era when fast bowlers weren’t afraid to engage in on-field banter and physical confrontations.
He longs for the “misbehaviour” that seems to be missing in contemporary cricket. He believes that players should be more expressive and not shy away from confrontations. He mentions incidents from his own career, including a playful confrontation with Matthew Hayden. Despite his criticism, Akhtar acknowledges the skills of modern pacers.
He praises Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Amir, and Jasprit Bumrah for their abilities. He also analyzes their playing styles and assesses their potential for injuries. Speaking about Jasprit Bumrah, Akhtar expresses concern about his injury troubles, which he had predicted due to Bumrah’s unique run-up style. However, he commends Bumrah for playing with dedication and heart.
Akhtar then focuses on Pakistan’s current pace attack, singling out Shaheen Shah Afridi as a “great asset.” He highlights Afridi’s impressive performance in the ongoing Asia Cup, where he is the second-highest wicket-taker. Akhtar sees the trio of Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf as a formidable bowling attack, with a total of 68 wickets in the 50-overs format this year.
In summary, Shoaib Akhtar’s views reflect a mix of nostalgia for the aggression of past cricket and an appreciation for the skills and potential of modern-day pacers, particularly highlighting the promising talent of Shaheen Shah Afridi and the dedication of Jasprit Bumrah.
He believes that a bit more flair and aggression on the field would make the sport even more exciting. Shoaib Akhtar, the former Pakistani fast bowler known as the “Rawalpindi Express,” has never been one to mince words. In a recent interview on Sorabh Pant’s YouTube channel, he shared his candid opinions on the state of modern-day pacers and cricket itself. Akhtar bemoaned the lack of what he called “badtameezi” or misbehaviour among contemporary players.
He reminisced about the confrontations and heated moments on the field during his era, lamenting that they seem to be missing in today’s cricket. He even recalled a breakfast incident with Australian batsman Matthew Hayden where things could have turned physical.
Despite his criticism, Akhtar had praise for several modern-day pacers, including Shaheen Shah Afridi, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mark Wood. He assessed their playing styles, injury risks, and potential. Notably, he predicted that Bumrah’s unorthodox run-up might lead to injury issues.
Akhtar also commended the dedication of players like Bumrah, acknowledging that they play with heart. He termed Shaheen Shah Afridi as a “great asset” for Pakistan and highlighted his outstanding performance in the Asia Cup.
Overall, Shoaib Akhtar’s views offer a unique perspective, blending nostalgia for the aggression of the past with an acknowledgement of the talent and commitment of today’s pacers, making for a thought-provoking commentary on the evolution of cricket.
Get the latest cricket news here, like us on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter and Instagram for more such updates