Jasprit Bumrah, Shaheen Afridi kicked aside as Aakash Chopra names top 5 T20I pacers

Former India opener Aakash Chopra has picked his top five T20I fast bowlers of 2024. He didn't include the big names like Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi in this list. Given the stature and performances of Bumrah and Afridi, it was a huge surprise not to see them in the list.

Aakash Chopra instead went for some surprising options. His list includes the likes of Arshdeep Singh, Abbas Afridi, Matheesha Pathirana, Lockie Ferguson, and Haris Rauf. All these bowlers had a fantastic year in the game's shortest format.

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Aakash Chopra's top three fast bowlers of 2024

As the year 2024 is coming to an end, Aakash Chopra revealed his choice for the top five T20I fast bowlers for the year. While speaking in a video on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra heaped praises on these bowlers and also reasoned why they were included in this list.

"At No. 5, I have kept Haris Rauf. He took three wickets against India if you talk about the World Cup, seven wickets against New Zealand in New Zealand, and five wickets against Australia in just two games. He has picked up 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19 and an economy of nine," Chopra said.

"At No. 4, I have kept Lockie Ferguson. He has played only 10 matches. However, he has taken 20 wickets. His economy is just 4.88 and he has an average of 9.25. He picked up four wickets against Australia in just 3.5 overs while giving 12 runs. He has a few three-wicket hauls as well," he explained.

"At No. 3, we have put Matheesha Pathirana's name. There is no doubt that he has grown in stature. He has picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.67 and an average of 13.25. The last time he went wicketless was against South Africa in New York," Aakash Chopra added.

An Indian and a Pakistani bowler in the top two

Aakash Chopra picked an Indian and a Pakistani bowler among his top two T20I bowlers of the year. He surprisingly chose Abbas Afridi ahead of his Pakistani teammate Shaheen Afridi and Arshdeep Singh ahead of Jasprit Bumrah.

"I have gone with a slightly left-field selection here. I have not kept Shaheen Shah Afridi, but the other Afridi, Abbas Afridi, at No. 2. He has picked up 30 wickets in 18 matches. His economy is less than 8.5 and has an average of 14.96. He has taken a lot of wickets consistently and against good teams," Aakash Chopra noted.

"I have kept Arshdeep Singh at No. 1. He has picked up 36 wickets in 18 matches at an economy of 7.49 and an average of 13.5. He lives up to any parameter you set. He gives a breakthrough every time with the new ball. The last time he went wicketless was 27th June," he concluded.

Abbas Afridi has been a regular in Pakistan's bowling line-up since their dismal T20 World Cup 2024 campaign in June. Meanwhile, Arshdeep Singh is a regular in India's T20I team having played a vital role in the team's T20 World Cup 2024 win.

Jasprit Bumrah's exploits in 2024

Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah hasn't played many T20Is this year but was outstanding in his limited appearances in the format. The 31-year-old has played just 8 T20Is this year and picked up 15 wickets, all in the T20 World Cup 2024.

Jasprit Bumrah picked up these wickets at an exceptional average of 8.26 and an economy rate of 4.17. He played a highly important role in India's title win and was also adjudged the Player of the Tournament.

However, Bumrah wasn't considered for any more T20Is due to India's packed schedule where they played plenty of Test cricket. Overall, it was a great year for Jasprit Bumrah as he showed his class and stamped his authority as the world's best bowler across formats.