Pakistan white-ball captain Babar Azam has described Australia’s Pat Cummins as one of the toughest bowlers he has faced as the World Cup-winning captain has been at the top of the game for years.
Azam was speaking to the former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on a local news channel when he was asked how he manages various bowlers’ lists.
Jasprit Bumrah, Mitchell Starc, Mark Wood and Pat Cummins,” he said.
First round in the list with Cummins, second Bumrah, third Wood and last Starc. He went on to explain why the right-arm Australian pacer is the toughest bowler he has faced as he is a stout trapper.
“After years of perfecting himself, he won’t give you a loose ball. He knows how to bowl in a particular place and score a particular batsman. This is your trap. He gives you a hard time. It’s completely against your habits and technique ,” he said.
The 29-year-old then said that if Cummins stole the empty bowler, it was on purpose.
“If he threw an empty plate, I think he did it on purpose. That’s why I rate him high because of his ability to get tickets. He never pitches consistently, he usually pitches at 130-135. [kph] and then all of a sudden it goes up to 145. He said Azam.
“So he has the ability to change pace. One thing about him is that if he bowls long, he’s always on purpose.”
Remember, Cummins guided Australia to a record-extending sixth World Cup in November 2023, defeating India in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
