Wasim Akram Ditches Shaheen Shah Afridi And Mitchell Starc To Pick The Best Left Arm Pacer In World Cricket

Former Pakistan pacer Wasim Akram has picked the most in-form left-arm pacer in the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. Some of the world’s best left-arm pacers have been plying their trade in the ongoing thirteenth edition of the World Cup.

The likes of Trent Boult, Dilshan Madushanka, Mitchell Starc, Marco Jansen, Shaheen Afridi, Fazalhaq Farooqi, and David Willey represented their respective teams in the competition. Wasim Akram was given only three options to pick from. The legendary left-arm pacer recently appeared on the Club Prairie Fire podcast and was joined by Australia great Adam Gilchrist and ex-England captain Michael Vaughan.

Adam Gilchrist gave Wasim Akram three options – Marco Jansen, Mitchell Starc, and Shaheen Afridi – and asked him to pick the most in-form pacer. The former Australia wicketkeeper highlighted Jansen’s impressive displays in the ongoing World Cup before pointing out Starc’s struggles despite being the leading wicket-taker in the last two World Cups.

“Talking of a few players, a bloke who’s had a terrific tournament Marco Jansen from South Africa. Just got me thinking, a guy that hasn’t hit the levels that he did in the previous two World Cups – Mitchell Starc. He was a previous leading Wicket taker in 2015, 2019,” said Gilchrist.

“I want to know, you can only pick one currently, not with historic stats behind. You got to pick one out of Starc, Jansen or Shaheen Shah Afridi,” he added.

Michael Vaughan was quick to interrupt, saying: “Hey, add David Willey to that please.”

One of the hosts quickly reminded Vaughan that Willey is retired from ODIs, before Gilchrist hilariously said: “He’s retired mate. He got sacked. They said surplus to requirements. You’re our best player but piss off. So forget that little input. We don’t need any Poms infiltrating this discussion.”

Wasim Akram reveals his pick:

After Vaughan was shut down by Gilchrist, Wasim Akram revealed his pick. One of the most decorated left-arm pacers in the history of cricket, he picked Jansen over Starc and Afridi. He called the Proteas star a complete package and said:

“If I have to pick one on present form I’ll definitely definitely go for South Africa’s Jansen. It’s a complete package. He gets you wickets with the new ball he’s got pace, 140-plus on regular basis, he is tall, gets extra bounce and then he can bat.

“He’s a very good batter at number seven, number eight, good power hitter and he’s having a great tournament apart from one or two games maybe,” added Akram.

Mitchell Starc ?? , Marco Jansen ?? or Shaheen Shah Afridi ???

Gilly asks Wasim Akram who he thinks is the most in form ? right now and the answer from the legendary left arm quick ? may surprise you…

Full show ? – https://t.co/E6XyrJUFX9#clubprairiefire pic.twitter.com/xOI7op3qGv

— Club Prairie Fire (@clubprairiefire) November 16, 2023

In the ongoing World Cup, Jansen has picked up 17 wickets in 8 games in addition to scoring 157 runs with a top score of 75 not out. Starc, on the other hand, has managed 10 wickets in 8 outings while Afridi picked 18 wickets in 9 games.