Srinagar: Former Pakistan captain Misbah ul Haq has called pacer Jasprit Bumrah as X Factor for the Team India in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024.
“If we look at the Cricket World Cup 2023, India had quality bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah is an outstanding bowler in any condition whether it is white-ball or red-ball cricket he plays. He swings the new ball and his defensive bowling skills — yorker or slower ones — and the most important thing he has is his control. He is an amazing reader of the game,” Misbah said in a TV show.
The former Pakistan captain called Bumrah an X-factor for the Indian team as he always takes wickets for his team.
“He gives India an edge and when you have an X-factor like him in your bowling, it adds to the pressure on the other team and it adds an element of confidence in your team.
“Previously, India’s opponents would win the toss and call India to bat first and the panic would be visible on them that we are now out of a position of strength but now India is a team who believes that we can now defend a small total and they did that against Pakistan. They are now a complete bowling attack.”
India had posted a target of 120 while playing against Pakistan in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2024. Their bowlers defended the total as the Pakistan fell seven runs short of the target.
Bumrah took three wickets at the loss of 13 runs in the match including the wickets of Pakistan’s captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan. His third dismissal was of Iftikhar Ahmed.
In India’s opening game against Ireland, Bumrah took two wickets and in the match against USA, he went wicket-less. India’s last game against Canada was abandoned due to rain in Florida.
His wicket tally after the group games in the T20 World Cup 2024 is five wickets in three games.