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The highly-anticipated clash between India and Pakistan in the ICC Men's ODI World Cup 2023 is around the corner as the teams will face each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Saturday, October 14. Ahead of the fixture, former Indian pacer Irfan Pathan has weighed in on the better pacer debate between India's Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan.
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Irfan Pathan, who is commenting on Star Sports in the ongoing World Cup, claimed that the clash between India and Pakistan is the biggest match in the sport. The 38-year-old stated that apart from the two teams the whole world watches the match between the two neighbouring countries.
In an interview with Dainik Jagran, Pathan talked about the comparison between Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi, claiming the Pakistani counterpart is "no competition" for the Indian fast-bowling spearhead. Irfan Pathan said, "Jasprit Bumrah is way ahead of Shaheen Afridi, there's no competition between them. Afridi can do wonders with the new ball, but Bumrah is the master at any stage of the game."
In the ongoing World Cup in India, India and Pakistan both have won their respective opening two fixtures as the hosts are currently placed third while the latter are at the fourth spot in the standings. In the two matches, Bumrah picked up a total of six wickets as he registered bowling figures of 2-for-35 against Australia and 4-for-39 versus Afghanistan.
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On the other hand, Shaheen Afridi hasn't completed 10 overs in either of the matches in the World Cup so far. He took two wickets in two matches as he ended with 37/1 in his seven overs against the Netherlands while his economy was over seven against Sri Lanka as he went for 66 runs in nine overs with just one wicket. Considering the recent stats between the two pacers, Jasprit Bumrah stands tall against Shaheen Afridi in the pace bowling.
