[Video] Wasim Akram Takes A Bold Stand For Indian Fast Bowlers

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram tore into former batsman Hasan Rana for his accusation of the BCCI or the ICC for favoring the Indian bowlers by giving them a different batch of balls compared to their opponents in the ongoing World Cup 2023.

The Indian pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and Mohammed Shami has been in thunderous form in the World Cup 2023.

The Indian fast bowlers have taken 45 wickets in 7 matches at an average of 18.57. Only the South African pacers have more wickets – 50 wickets in 7 matches – but at a higher average of 22.8. The economy of the Indian pacers, of 4.87, is also the best in the tournament, by a distance. They routed Sri Lanka for only 55 runs recently.

This immense success of the Indian pacers in the World Cup led to former Pakistan batsman Hasan Raza alleging the ICC or the BCCI is perhaps giving a different set of balls to the Indian bowlers, and he called for an inspection!

Raza said on a news channel: “Here I feel like the ball is getting changed mid-innings the way it is behaving. Whether it is the ICC that is providing the balls, or the umpires panel, or the BCCI, there should be an inspection on it. I think the balls should be checked.”

“There seems to be some extra hardness on the ball, an extra layer of polish or coating, which I feel should be inspected,” he added.

You will embarrass yourself: Wasim Akram to Hasan Raza

These comments from Raza enraged the fans and ex-cricketers, including Wasim Akram who lashed out at Raza.

Speaking on A Sports news channel, Wasim Akram first slammed Raza for his comments. Wasim Akram then explained how the balls for both innings are selected from the same box.

“I have been reading about it for the last couple of days. I want to have the same thing these guys are having, sounds like fun because their mind is not there. You will embarrass yourself and you will get us humiliated as well in front of the whole world,” Akram said.

“It is a very simple thing. Umpire asks the bowling team to pick the balls with which they would want to bowl. The bowlers choose from the box of 12 brand new balls. All the match officials closely watch the whole thing. The bowlers pick two balls. Option 1 and Option 2. The umpires keep them in their pant pockets. The remaining 8 balls (remember that two new balls are used these days from two ends) to the other team. They do the same exercise,” explained the former fast bowler.

Watch: Wasim Akram slams Hasan Raza

Legendary pacer @wasimakramlive comments on #HasanRaza‘s statement on Indian bowlers, being given different balls to bowl.#ASportsHD #ARYZAP #CWC23 #ThePavilion #ShoaibMalik #MoinKhan #FakhreAlam #MisbahulHaq #AskThePavilion pic.twitter.com/uJ9YU9V745

— ASports (@asportstvpk) November 3, 2023