PAK vs ENG: 'He Has Got A Dennis Lillee Kind Of Action': Waqar Younis' And Wasim Akram High Praise For Naseem Shah

The youthful bowler for the team received high acclaim from the famed Pakistani fast bowling pair of Waqar Younis and Wasim Akram, with Waqar drawing comparisons to Australian great Dennis Lillee.

England defeated Pakistan by six wickets in the first Twenty20 International of the series on Tuesday in Karachi. England put on a superb batting display, chasing down a 159-run goal with four balls remaining thanks to the contributions of comeback player Alex Hales (51) and Harry Brook (42*).

The Pakistani bowling attack had a rare bad day as Naseem Shah was costly, giving up 41 runs in four overs without taking a wicket, and Shahnawaz Dahani gave up runs at an economy rate of 11.40.

In the just concluded Asia Cup 2022, Naseem attracted attention with his outstanding exploits, which were crucial in helping Pakistan advance to the tournament’s final. The spinner took a wicket in every match other than the championship, in which Pakistan lost by 23 runs. He grabbed two wickets against India in his T20I debut.

“A classic action that gets into the crease very nicely”: Waqar Younis

Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, two of Pakistan’s greatest fast bowlers, spoke in-depth about the fast bowling “prodigy,” and Waqar even compared Naseem to legendary Australian former speedster Dennis Lillee.

“If you look at the Pakistan fast bowling battery, there are a few who are challenging the top seeds. I feel Naseem when I first saw him, he was a finished product.”

“A classic action gets into the crease very nicely. His opportunity came because Amir and Wahab pulled out just before the Australia tour, so we didn’t have a choice too. I thought, ‘just take some youngsters along’,” Waqar said in a video posted by Pakistan Cricket.

“He’s got a perfect run-up, gets side-on really nicely. He has got pace. He has got a Dennis Lillee kind of action,” he further said.

“I love about him is his follow-through”: Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram discussed Naseem’s action in-depth as well, saying that the bowler’s ability to throw in-swingers had been a huge asset for Pakistan at the Asia Cup.

“What I love about him is his follow-through. The way he bends down puts all the pressure on his front leg. A very clean action, that’s very important. His front arm is high, he gets the out-swing because of that,” said Akram.

“In the recent Asia Cup, he now bowls big in-swingers with the new ball. The Dubai pitch helps his bowling as well. It gave him confidence as a bowler, and of course, now as an all-rounder!” Wasim Akram said.

On Tuesday, September 20, in Karachi, Pakistan’s hosts were destroyed by the visiting England team in the opening T20I match.

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