Abdul Razzaq’s comments about Jasprit Bumrah have stirred up quite a controversy. The supremely talented Gujarat bowler’s performances have seen him win matches single-handed for club & country. But the retired Pakistani all-rounder isn’t too impressed & recently made some nasty comments that have backfired on him big time.
Razzaq had said in an interview to Cricket Pakistan, “I have played against great bowlers like Glenn McGrath and Wasim Akram, so Bumrah is a baby bowler in front of me and I could have easily dominated and attacked him. After having faced world-class bowlers in my time, I would have had no problem against a bowler like Bumrah. The pressure would have been on him.” Abdul Razzaq represented Pakistan in ODIs from 1996 to 2011. Razzaq was ranked as the World No.2 all-rounder in the early 2000s when the Pakistan all-rounder was in his prime. Though he also showered some praise on Bumrah for improvement & effective awkward action which works well for him.
Former India bowling all-rounder Irfan Pathan then hit back at the former Pakistan all-rounder for calling India pacer Jasprit Bumrah a ‘baby bowler’ and urged fans to not pay heed to such ‘over the top statements’. Taking to social media on Thursday, Irfan Pathan did not take any names in his tweet but used #Bumrah that hinted that he was responding to Razzaq’s recent statements. He tweeted, “Irfan Jese bowlers Hamari Gali Gali Mein paae jate hay par jab jab ye galli bowler inke samne khela har baar inki gilliyan nikal ke rakh di. Request to all fans not to pay any heat to those unnecessary over the top statements. Just read and :)”. Cricketer-turned-commentator Aakash Chopra also took a dig at Razzaq for his comments and tweeted: “Another fine example of the fact that growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional. Well played.”
On the occasion of his birthday today, Mumbai Indians posted a cheeky birthday wish for Bumrah – where the franchise also took a dig at former Pakistani all-rounder’s recent statement.
Although Bumrah himself remains undeterred. He posted a picture today with his mother thanking everyone for the birthday wishes. Bumrah is currently nursing a lower back injury. After playing 12 Tests away from home, he was all set to play his maiden Test on home soil against South Africa in September earlier this year before he was ruled out of the series with an injury. Fans cannot wait to see him return back to the fold for Team India doing what he does best.
