Indian cricket team fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is known as the ‘death specialist’ and his yorker is one of the most feared in world cricket. In any run-chase, Bumrah will primarily be the choice of any captain when it comes to the final, but Pakistan skipper Babar Azam made it clear that he will choose his national team-mate in this case. In an episode of Zalmi TV podcast, Babar was asked if he was the captain and his team needed to defend 10 runs in the final, who would he choose as the bowler – Naseem Shah or Jas Jasprit Bumrah.

“One over, T20 match, you have to win the game, you have two options to defend 10 points, who will you give the last over, Naseem Shah or Jasprit Bumrah?” asked the host.

Babar replied without hesitation – “Naseem Shah.”

Babar had more praise for the fast bowler who has been battling injuries of late.

“Naseem Shah. First of all, I am happy for Naseem, the way he has returned to cricket after injury and the way he has recovered. His skills are outstanding. We rarely see such talent in Pakistan .”

“There were others like Shaheen Shah Afridi. Shaheen was in a class of his own. But Naseem was also on a similar trajectory and gained valuable experience,” he added.

With two months to go before the T20 World Cup, Babar Azam has once again been appointed as Pakistan’s white-ball captain. Babar replaces fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi as T20 captain. The pacer was removed after Pakistan lost a 4-1 series to New Zealand in January.

The decision to reinstate Babar was taken following the unanimous recommendation of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee.

“On the unanimous recommendation of the PCB Selection Committee, PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has appointed Babar Azam as the white-ball (ODI and T20I) captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” the PCB said in a media release.

Babar is said to have met PCB chief Naqvi in ​​Lahore recently to seek assurances on his tenure and asked to be appointed captain of the Test team.

(with PTI input)