Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers has praised Pakistan’s legendary fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar for his exceptional pace. He believes Akhtar was much faster than India’s Jasprit Bumrah during their respective careers.
Speaking on The Prakhar Gupta Xperience podcast, de Villiers compared Akhtar, Bumrah, and Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga. Host Prakhar Gupta asked him which of the three bowlers was the most difficult to face.
De Villiers selected Akhtar when judging the bowlers purely on speed. He described the Pakistani fast bowler as significantly quicker than Bumrah.
Shoaib Akhtar Had the Edge in Raw Pace
AB de Villiers explained that he faced the three bowlers at different stages of his career. Akhtar came first, giving the South African batter an early experience of extreme pace.
He said Akhtar was incredibly difficult to face and had a clear advantage in raw speed. De Villiers stressed that the difference in pace between Akhtar and Bumrah was substantial.
Akhtar earned a reputation as one of cricket’s fastest bowlers during his international career. His speed and aggressive approach made him a challenging opponent for batters around the world.
De Villiers’ comments highlight Akhtar’s reputation for exceptional pace. However, he made a separate assessment when discussing consistency and bowling accuracy.
Jasprit Bumrah Named the Most Consistent
Although Akhtar received praise for his speed, de Villiers identified Bumrah as the most consistent bowler among the three. He said the Indian pacer regularly maintained pressure by avoiding mistakes.
De Villiers faced Bumrah towards the end of his own playing career. He acknowledged that he was perhaps less agile at that stage but still enjoyed several competitive battles against the Indian fast bowler.
According to de Villiers, Bumrah’s ability to keep asking difficult questions made him particularly effective. He also praised the Indian pacer’s temperament and ability to maintain consistency.
These qualities helped Bumrah stand out in de Villiers’ comparison. The former South African captain viewed consistency as a separate strength from outright bowling speed.
De Villiers Also Praises Lasith Malinga
De Villiers also discussed his experience against Sri Lankan legend Lasith Malinga. He said he faced Malinga when he had developed a better understanding of his batting technique.
Malinga brought a different set of skills to the contest. De Villiers explained that the Sri Lankan bowler did not trouble him as much during their encounters.
However, he acknowledged that Malinga was not far behind Bumrah in terms of consistency. His comments recognized the different strengths each fast bowler brought to international cricket.
AB de Villiers has previously shown appreciation for Pakistani cricketing talent. He earlier selected a Pakistani player for his all-time playing XI.
In other related news also read AB de Villiers Wishes To Play With Babar Azam
Meanwhile, Shoaib Akhtar recently attracted attention following reports that the Pakistan Cricket Board offered him the chief selector position. His latest mention by de Villiers has once again highlighted his lasting reputation for extraordinary pace.
