Abdul Razzaq says his ‘Bumrah is a baby bowler’ comment was taken out of context to create controversy in India

Former Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has clarified his controversial comment about Jasprit Bumrah earlier this year. Razzaq has called Bumrah a ‘baby bowler’. He also said that he was nowhere near Pakistan’s strike bowler Shaheen Afridi. 
 

Nearly nine months after, Razzaq was asked about his previous comments on Geo news to which he replied, “It was taken out of context. I was asked to compare Glenn Mcgrath, Wasim Akram, Jasprit Bumrah, and Shoaib Akhtar. I said that Bumrah was a baby bowler in front of them. I didn't say that he isn't a good bowler. When I came into the team, I was a baby in front of Wasim Akram too. My intention was different but it was misunderstood.”

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“This agenda started in India where things are always taken out of context. No cricketer told me that you have made a wrong statement, only non-cricketers did,” he said while pointing at the anchor. 
 

Bumrah is the second-highest wicket-taker in the ongoing World Cup 2023. He has taken 14 wickets from six games including one four-fer. He is only behind Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa who has 16 wickets from same number of appearances including three four-fers.
 

However, in addition to comparing him to Afridi, he also said that he would have dominated him. 
 

"I have played against great bowlers like Glenn Mcgrath and Wasim Akram, so Bumrah is a baby bowler in front of me and I could have easily dominated and attacked him," Razzaq had said in a conversation with Cricket Pakistan.
 

Meanwhile, there is turmoil in Pakistan cricket whether it is in India during World Cup or back home. Babar’s WhatsApp conversation with PCB’s Chief Operating Officer Salman Naseer was leaked by a Pakistan news channel which later offered their sincere apologies. Razzaq condemned the media channel for leaking the conversation. 
 

After Afghanistan beat Sri Lanka by seven wickets in Pune, Pakistan slipped to seventh position on the points table with just two wins from six games. On October 31, they will face Shakib Al Hasan-led Bangladesh at Eden Gardens, Kolkata in an attempt to end their losing streak.
 

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