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'It takes a brave team to...': Pakistan legend Wasim Akram heaps massive praise on India over Bumrah management
Even though Jasprit Bumrah missed two Tests due to workload management, he still made a huge impact. AFP
Former Pakistan fast bowler Wasim Akram has praised India's Mohammed Siraj for his match-winning performance in the Oval Test against England. Siraj took nine wickets in the match, including a five-wicket haul in the second innings, to help India win by just six runs and level the five-Test series 2-2.
Akram hails Siraj's performance
India were down and out going into the final day of the fifth Test match in London as England needed just 35 runs to win with four wickets in hand. Siraj bowled a brilliant spell in the first hour of Day 5, in which he picked up three wickets and bowled England out just six runs short of the target.
'Siraj was full of hunger and passion – it was an incredible effort. To bowl nearly 186 overs across five Tests and still be that fiery on the final day shows remarkable stamina and mental strength. He's not just a support bowler anymore,' Akram said in an interview with Telecom Asia Sport.
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Akram said Siraj has now become the leader of the attack, especially in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah, who missed out on the final Test to manage his workload. Bumrah and the Indian team management had already confirmed before the start of the series that he would play just three out of five matches.
'He's leading the attack and doing it with heart. Even when a catch went down– that of Brook – he didn't lose focus. That's the mark of a fighter. Test cricket is alive and kicking. I rarely watch cricket when I'm not working, but I was glued to the last day,' Akram said.
'I gave India a 60 per cent chance on Day 5. They just needed that first breakthrough. With Woakes injured and India sensing blood, it was game on. Siraj made that possible,' he added.
Akram lauds India for resting Bumrah
The Pakistan legend also backed India's decision to rest Jasprit Bumrah for two matches in the series. Bumrah and the team management faced heavy criticism for resting the star pacer when the series was on the line. However, Akram believes it was the right move, keeping in mind the major tournaments ahead.
'It takes a brave team to rest their best bowler. But India had the bench strength, and the plan worked perfectly. With the Asia Cup in 2025 and the T20 World Cup in 2026 coming up, this kind of foresight is essential. Bumrah is vital across formats, and managing him well is key," Akram said.
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