Media365
NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s interim head coach Aaqib Javed has played down the impact of India’s leading fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah before their upcoming Champions Trophy encounter. The eight-team ICC tournament starts from February 19, with the opener between Pakistan and New Zealand in Karachi.
Questions surround Bumrah’s availability for the tournament, with Aaqib expressing little concern about the bowler’s potential presence in India’s team for the February 23 match. Bumrah, who suffered back spasm during Border-gavaskar Trophy, is out of action since the Sydney Test.
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“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 best 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,” Aaqib told reporters.
India’s captain Rohit Sharma has indicated the team is awaiting scan results to determine Bumrah’s fitness status.
“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.
The decision about Bumrah’s participation in the final ODI against England will be made after reviewing his scan results.
“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,” he added.
Bumrah’s performance in 2024 earned him recognition as ICC Cricketer of the Year and Test Cricketer of the Year.
