The interim head coach of Pakistan, Aaqib Javed, played down the significance of the ace fast bowler of India, Jasprit Bumrah, ahead of the 2017 Champions Trophy clash between the two sides. The eight-team ICC event is set to commence on February 19, with Pakistan versus New Zeland being the opening fixture at Karachi.
“The worry should be with respect to Bumrah’s fitness. The most beautiful thing about the Champions Trophy is you cannot take any team for granted. The top eight best teams are playing. If a team has a bowler like Bumrah, it’s an advantage. But we are not going to plan everything around him,” Aaqib said to the reporters according to ANI.
Bumrah had tormented the Australian batters earlier this year and struggled in the last Test at Sydney, missing the second innings due to back spasms after bowling an astounding 386.4 overs in 2024. His absence inflicted heavy damage on the Indian attack, which eventually led to the 3-1 defeat of India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
He was included in the Champions Trophy 15-man squad amid all apprehensions.
India captain Rohit Sharma gave an update on Bumrah’s availability, noting that they are waiting for a scan to decide his chances.
“Jasprit, obviously, we’re waiting on some update about his scan, which is due to happen in the next few days,” Rohit said in the pre-match press conference ahead of the first ODI against England.
Scan results are also likely to bring some clarity to his participation in the final ODI against England, as Rohit Sharma further elaborated: “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.”
Bumrah’s influence on the game is surely an undisputed case. The Indian pacer was the highest wicket-taker last year in international cricket with 86 wickets at an unbelievable average of 13.76 in 21 matches. He had a staggering presence in Tests, where he took 71 wickets in 13 encounters at 14.92, five of which were five-wicket hauls.
The rivalry will take center stage on February 23 at the Dubai International Stadium. The last time these two sides met in an ICC tournament in Dubai, Pakistan returned home rejoicing after a scintillating 10-wicket win in 2021. Since then, they haven’t looked back; India, however, has enjoyed massive wins over their arch-rivals in the two limited-overs formats.
