Lasith Malinga, Jasprit Bumrah snubbed as Dale Steyn claims this former Pakistan pacer has the best yorker
Published - 21 Jul 2024, 03:06 PM | Updated - 24 Aug 2024, 06:13 AM
![Dale Steyn and Jasprit Bumrah](https://static.cricketaddictor.com/images/2024/DaleSteynandJaspritBumrah.jpg?q=80)
Former South African fast bowler Dale Steyn recently picked the former Pakistan fast bowler as his choice for the best yorker in history. Dale Steyn snubbed Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga, former West Indies pacer Dwayne Bravo, and India's pace bowling spearhead Jasprit Bumrah in favor of his selection.
A yorker is one of the most effective deliveries for a fast bowler in the game of cricket. A bowler aims this delivery at the batsman’s toes, ensuring they have little room to play a shot. Bowlers use this delivery most during the death overs when the opposition team's batsman aims to hit boundaries with every ball.
Lasith Malinga became famous for his precise yorkers. Malinga turned games in Sri Lanka's favor with his knack for taking wickets with yorkers. He took four wickets in four balls against South Africa in the 2007 World Cup. The former Lankan pacer cemented his legacy as one of cricket's greatest with his skills.
99 World Cup, Shoaib Akhtar - Dale Steyn
When Iceland Cricket asked on X (formerly Twitter) about the best yorker in history, Dale Steyn replied with former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. Iceland Cricket agreed and mentioned Akhtar's delivery to Stephen Fleming during that tournament.
"Which bowler has had the best yorker in history?" Iceland Cricket asked on X (formerly known as Twitter).
"99 World Cup, Shoaib Akhtar," Dale Steyn replied.
99 World Cup, Shoaib Akhtar. 😳
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) July 20, 2024
Shoaib Akhtar Bowled Fastest Delivery In International Cricket
Shoaib Akhtar had a distinguished international career with the Pakistan National Cricket Team spanning 14 years. The right-arm pacer played 46 Tests, 163 ODIs, and 15 T20 Internationals in his career. Akhtar claimed 178 wickets in Test cricket, 247 wickets in ODI cricket, and 19 wickets in the shortest format of the game.
The 'Rawalpindi Express' was the first bowler to bowl 100 miles per hour, and he achieved this milestone twice. During the 2003 World Cup, he clocked 161.3 kmph against England's Nick Knight. Akhtar was also known for his controversies, both on and off the field. His autobiography is titled 'Controversially Yours.'
Dale Steyn, on the other hand, made his Test debut for South Africa against England in December 2004 in Gqeberha. The right-arm fast bowler took two wickets for 117 runs in the first innings and one wicket for 29 runs in the second innings. The England national cricket team won the match by seven wickets.
The Proteas great played 93 Test matches in his illustrious career. He took 439 wickets at an average of 22.95, including 26 five-wicket hauls and five ten-wicket match hauls. He went wicketless in his final Test match against Sri Lanka in Gqeberha in February 2019. South Africa lost the match by eight wickets.
Also read: Ajit Agarkar openly opposed Hardik Pandya as India's T20I captain due to..