Shahid Afridi may be topping the wickets’ tally in the ongoing ICC CWC, but Wasim Akram feels Umar Gul has been the side’s best bowler so far.
By Joshua Nath
With 10 scalps in 5 games, Gul is second on the wickets’ tally for Pakistan behind skipper Afridi. Man of the Match Gul picked up an impressive 3/36 against Zimbabwe on Monday night at Pallekelle. These were his second-best figures in an ICC Cricket World Cup. He has 14 wickets in the tournament so far.
“Umar is actually one of the best bowlers in the tournament. He along with Dale Steyn has been the best so far. Gul is bowling like a true match-winner. The way he runs in to the crease, his line and length have all been impeccable. Against Zimbabwe he was unplayable,” Akram told Mobile ESPN in an exclusive chat from Colombo on Tuesday.
While Akram is happy with Gul, Shoaib Akhtar has disappointed him. The fiery pacer was dropped against Zimbabwe. Akhtar went wicket-less against Kenya, bagged two against Canada and was all over the pitch in the humiliating 110-run loss versus New Zealand. Akram feels the Rawalpindi Express is struggling big time.
“I do not think he is carrying an injury. I feel he was dropped from the Zimbabwe clash. He is looking far from convincing. Especially in his second and third spells he is way less effective. I know him as a player, he has played under me and I know what he is going through,” said the 44-year-old Akram.
