Aaqib Javed Downplays Jasprit Bumrah's Threat Ahead Of India-Pakistan Clash
Pakistan's interim head coach Aaqib Javed has downplayed the impact of India's star pacer Jasprit Bumrah ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 encounter between India and Pakistan. The arch-rivals will be competing on February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium. In the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2025, Bumrah proved to be a headache for the Australian batters, becoming the leading wicket-taker in the five-match Test series. Bumrah captained the side in the first and last tests but did not come to bowl in the second innings due to a back spasm during the Sydney Test.
Aaqib sheds light on Bumrah's availability in the upcoming tournament, expressing his views on the impact of the bowler's potential presence in India's team in the clash.
He said that they should be worried about Bumrah's fitness because in the Champions Trophy no team should be taken lightly. The top eight teams play in the tournament.
"They should be worried about Bumrah's fitness. When you play in the Champions Trophy, the most beautiful thing about it is you can't take any team lightly. The top eight teams are playing. If any team has a bowler like Bumrah, it is a plus point. But it is not like we will plan everything around him."
India's skipper Rohit Sharma stated that the team is waiting for updates on Bumrah's fitness. He said,
"Jasprit, obviously, we're waiting on some updates about his scan, which is due to happen in the next few days."
Bumrah's participation in the tournament will be made after reviewing his final scans only.
"We're just waiting on that update, which is going to happen in the next few days, the scan. Then, probably, we'll have a little more clarity about his participation in the last ODI."
The star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah won the ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year for 2024. He was the leading wicket-taker last year in international cricket with 86 wickets in 21 matches at an average of 13.76.