'Scary, miles faster': AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler picks Shoaib Akhtar over Jasprit Bumrah as better fast bowler originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar was rated by AB de Villiers as the toughest of the three to face on pure pace: Akhtar, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga.
- AB de Villiers said Akhtar was far quicker than Bumrah but named the Indian fast bowler as the most consistent of the three.
- Jos Buttler recalled watching Akhtar as a nine-year-old at the 1999 World Cup match between Pakistan and the West Indies in Bristol.
Why do batters still talk about Shoaib Akhtar's pace?
Fast bowlers from different eras are difficult to compare, yet cricket keeps trying, and Shoaib Akhtar's name comes up almost every time the talk turns to raw pace. He retired in 2011, but he is still the yardstick that batters reach for when they explain what real speed felt like.
Two of the modern game's best batters have now done exactly that. AB de Villiers was asked on a podcast to choose between Akhtar and two bowlers he faced later, Jasprit Bumrah and Lasith Malinga, while Jos Buttler used his podcast to relive first seeing Akhtar bowl.
The two answers came to the topic from different directions. De Villiers judged the bowlers by what each did best, while Buttler recalled how a nine-year-old in the stands saw a bowler in full flow. Together they explain why Akhtar's reputation has outlasted his playing career.
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AB de Villiers says Shoaib Akhtar was far quicker than Jasprit Bumrah
De Villiers was put on the spot by podcast host Prakhar Gupta, who asked him, “Bumrah, Malinga or Shoaib Akhtar, who was the hardest to face?” The South African great started with the Pakistan bowler, whom he faced before the other two.
De Villiers left no doubt about where he placed Akhtar on pace, and he was blunt about it. He said, “Shoaib Akhtar came first. He was incredibly tough. Miles faster than Bumrah. Not even close. So from a pure pace point of view, it's definitely Akhtar.”
Bumrah arrived late in the career of De Villiers, when he felt he was no longer as agile. He said, “And Bumrah, way more towards the back end of my career, when I was not as agile anymore, if anything. But we always had great battles against each other.” For him, Akhtar won on pure pace, and Bumrah won on consistency across his career.
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Jos Buttler recalls watching Shoaib Akhtar at the 1999 World Cup
Buttler described Akhtar through the eyes of a young fan on his podcast For the Love of Cricket, which he presents with Stuart Broad. He said, “1999 World Cup, we got tickets to the ballot, and we went to Bristol to watch Pakistan vs the West Indies.” Buttler remembered the buzz around the Pakistan bowler.
He said, “And there was the fanfare around Shoaib. Wasn't there? And we were watching side on, and I was 9 years old.” He added, “I'm thinking, where is this guy going, you know?" Buttler said the length of the run-up stood out from the boundary. He told Broad, “He's literally pushing off the side screen.”
He then asked, “And can you remember Sherwin Campbell? The opening batter for the West Indies? Drove at one.” Buttler said the shot that followed had a lasting impact. He recalled, “I'm sure I remember this correctly: flew over third man for six.” He added, “Like the physics of it, as a nine-year-old, I mean, how has that ball gone all that way from that delivery?”
Buttler said the match had stayed with him since. He explained, “I know when you can't see the delivery from the side on, because these guys all bowl so far, but at nine years old, I remember that, being such a vivid memory.” Broad replied, “That wonderful lime green kit.”
Buttler then described how the bowler looked in the Pakistan kit. He said, "Three-quarter-length sleeves, the big mason boots, and like long, flowing hair. Gosh, scary.” Broad ended the exchange with the one name that has followed Akhtar everywhere, “The Rawalpindi Express". It has been 15 years since he called it quits, but Akhat remains as terrifying as he ever was. For former cricketers and for folks still active.
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