Mohammad Kaif Names One Batter And One Bowler As Two Best Asian Players

Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif said Jasrprit Bumrah is very calm while playing under crunch situations. Bumrah became a regular member of the Indian team in 2016 with his consistency, bowling his sharp yorkers and bouncers to destabilise the opposition batters.

Bumrah has picked 293 international wickets from 154 matches across all formats. The Ahmedabad-born speedster has turned match-winner for India on plenty of instances with his searing pace at the death overs. He is any captain’s go-to bowler to provide the much-required breakthrough.

Jasprit Bumrah has emerged as an all-format player: Mohammad Kaif

Out of Bumrah’s 123 Test scalps, 109 of them are claimed in the overseas conditions. Kaif believes Bumrah’s inclusion in the Indian team has helped them in winning Test matches in foreign nations.

“I like Bumrah. People talk a lot about batters from Kohli to Dhoni…they are all great players but someone like Bumrah, he is very calm-headed, is cool and composed and delivers under pressure as we have seen in the last few years. He has emerged as an all-format player. His arrival has helped India in bettering their overseas Test win percentage,” Kaif told Sportskeeda. 

Babar Azam isn’t appreciated enough for his performances: Mohammad Kaif

Pakistan skipper Babar Azam currently holds the No.1 spot for ICC Men’s rankings in ODI and T20I formats. In the ODI series against Australia, Babar leapfrogged Virat Kohli, Joe Root and David Warner to complete 4000 ODI runs in 83 innings to become the second-fastest batter to reach the milestone after Hashim Amla (82 innings).

Babar scored 196 off 425 balls against Australia in the second Test in Karachi salvaged Pakistan to force a draw from a losing position. The Pakistan captain batted for more than 10 hours across two days to keep Australia’s formidable bowling attack at bay. Kaif said Babar has brilliantly performed and gets overlooked in the ranks of greatest players despite being consistent in all three formats.

“Pakistan has got real talent and some fantastic players. Babar Azam is there. I like Shaheen Afridi. But I would suggest Babar. He has been playing very well and has been in form, scoring well continuously. But he isn’t appreciated enough for his performances, but for Pakistan, he has already been a brilliant player,” he said.

Bumrah is currently playing for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2022 while Babar led Pakistan in the multi-format series against Australia, the series concluded on April 5 with a one-off T20I match.

Also Read: MI vs PBKS: Watch – Jasprit Bumrah’s Searing Yorker Ends Liam Livingstone Stay At The Crease