World Cup: Shoaib Akhtar lauds pacers after India beat South Africa: High time we celebrate Indian fast bowling

Former Pakistan speedster Shaoib Akhtar heaped praise on the India fast bowlers after the Men in Blue thrashed South Africa by 243 runs in the World Cup 2023 match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, November 5.

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Akhtar, one of the fastest pacers of his generation, also reckoned that the Indian fast bowlers are as good as the Indian batters and one should not undermine them by any means.

Jasprit Bumrah went wicketless against the Proteas, but built pressure by bowling at an economy rate of 2.80 in five overs. Mohammed Siraj got the all-important wicket of Quinton de Kock. Mohammed Shami continued his dream run in the World Cup after he accounted for the scalps of Rassie van der Dussen and Aiden Markram.

“Credit goes to the bowlers as they are performing brilliantly. It’s high time that you start regarding Indian pace bowlers as you do it for the batters basically. It’s time to celebrate fast bowling in Indian cricket because they have done a wonderful job in the last three to four matches and they are looking apart,” Akhtar was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.

Akhtar was also disappointed with the way Temba Bavuma and the other South African batters approached the Indian bowlers.

“I am disappointed with South Africa that they did not take charge and didn’t even try. They got bogged down in front of India. Bavuma, their skipper, did not even try to attack the pacers. He should have done something different. It was a walk in the park for India,” he added.

After being asked to chase down a stiff target of 327, South Africa were bowled out for 83 in 27.1 overs. Four of their batters got into double digits, but failed to convert.