T20 World Cup 2024: He is a world-class bowler – Brian Lara hails Jasprit Bumrah after match-winning spell against Afghanistan

Legendary Brian Lara has heaped praise on India’s gun fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah after the team’s comprehensive win of 47 runs against Afghanistan in the Super 8 clash of the ongoing T20 World Cup at the Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados on Thursday.

Bumrah registered impressive figures of 3-7 in his quota of four overs and troubled the opposition with his variations after India posted a par score of 181 runs on the board. The ace pacer is known to read the conditions quickly and he made the most of the slower balls against Afghanistan to flummox the opposition batters. 

Bumrah accounted for Hazratullah Zazai, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, and Najibullah Zadran in his fine spell.

Brian Lara said on Star Sports, “He’s a world-class bowler and he’s one of those guys that every single team respects. Sometimes I feel that a batting team should ensure that he does not make an early breakthrough. If you don’t give him an early breakthrough, then you may feel you can attack other bowlers, but he is Bumrah. Hardly any batting team is capable of taking him apart. He’s just outstanding, and India has a gem. They have one of the greatest bowlers that have ever played the game.”

Bumrah has bagged eight wickets in four matches of the ongoing T20 World Cup at an impressive average of 6.50 and a parsimonious economy rate of 3.47. Thus, Bumrah has been right on the money and has played an instrumental role in the success of the team. 

Meanwhile, Suryakumar Yadav played a fine knock of 53 runs off 28 balls and thus he was awarded Player of the Match.

India will next take on Bangladesh at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium, North Sound, Antigua on Saturday.