Babar Azam picks Naseem Shah over Jasprit Bumrah for crunch time: ‘A rare talent’

The T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to take place in October and November 2021 in Oman and the United Arab Emirates, is approaching, and Pakistan cricket team captain Babar Azam's recent statement about preferring young fast bowler Naseem Shah over experienced Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah in "crunch time" has sparked an intriguing debate among cricket enthusiasts.

Babar Azam made these remarks during a press conference while discussing Pakistan's squad selection for the upcoming series against New Zealand. He stated that he believes in giving opportunities to young and talented players like Naseem Shah, who has shown impressive form in recent times.

Naseem Shah, a 19-year-old right-arm fast bowler from Pakistan, made his international debut in 2019 against Australia at the age of just 16 years and 157 days, making him the youngest-ever Pakistani to do so. In his debut Test match, he took five wickets against Australia, including that of Steve Smith and David Warner.

Naseem Shah's impressive performances continued in the following matches as well. In the second Test against Sri Lanka in December 2019, he took a career-best 6 wickets in the first innings and became the youngest Pakistani to take a five-wicket haul in a Test match.

However, due to injury and inconsistent form, he was unable to maintain his momentum and was dropped from the team for a while. He made a comeback in the series against South Africa earlier this year and took 3 wickets in the first ODI, which was a promising sign for his return to form.

On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah is a seasoned Indian pacer who has been a regular member of the Indian cricket team since his debut in 2016. He has been a crucial member of the Indian team in all formats and has been particularly effective in limited-overs cricket. He has taken 111 wickets in 77 ODIs and 46 wickets in 38 T20Is.

Bumrah's experience and consistency make him a valuable asset to any team, especially in high-pressure situations like the T20 World Cup. However, Babar Azam's decision to prefer Naseem Shah over him in "crunch time" highlights the young bowler's potential and the faith that the Pakistan captain has in his abilities.

It is important to note that Babar Azam's statement does not necessarily mean that Naseem Shah will definitely be preferred over Jasprit Bumrah in every match or situation at the T20 World Cup. The final squad selection and team strategy will depend on various factors, including team composition, opposition analysis, and player form.

In conclusion, Babar Azam's decision to prefer Naseem Shah over Jasprit Bumrah in "crunch time" is a reflection of the young bowler's raw talent and recent form. While Jasprit Bumrah's experience and consistency are undeniable, Naseem Shah's potential and recent performances have caught the attention of the Pakistan captain and cricket enthusiasts alike. The T20 World Cup is expected to be a closely contested tournament, and both Pakistan and India will be looking to their bowling departments to deliver strong performances.