Leeds, June 22: Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah etched his name into the history books on Friday as he overtook Pakistan’s legendary seamer Wasim Akram to become the highest wicket-taking Asian bowler in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, and Australia) conditions.
The landmark moment came during the ongoing first Test between India and England at Headingley, where Bumrah produced yet another impactful performance. After dismissing Zak Crawley early in England’s innings, the 30-year-old speedster returned to shatter a growing century stand between Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope, bowling Duckett with a trademark yorker to move past Akram’s tally.
Bumrah boasts 150 wickets in just 32 Tests played across SENA nations, during the course of action of England’s first innings at an astonishing average of 21.03. His best figures in these conditions stand at 6 for 33, and he has already notched up ten five-wicket hauls, underscoring his dominance away from home.
Wasim Akram, widely regarded as one of the finest left-arm pacers in cricket history, claimed 146 wickets from 32 Tests in SENA conditions, averaging 24.11. His best figures of 7 for 119 came with a flair only he possessed, complemented by 11 five-wicket hauls and three 10-wicket match hauls.
Among the SENA countries, Australia has been Bumrah’s most fruitful hunting ground. In 12 Tests Down Under, he has bagged 64 wickets at a remarkable average of 17.15, with four five-wicket hauls to his name. He arrived in England on the back of a memorable 32-wicket haul during India’s last tour of Australia.
His record in England is impressive too, having scalped 42 wickets from 10 matches so far at an average of 26.02, including three five-wicket hauls. Bumrah’s consistency, control, and ability to strike at crucial moments have made him one of the most feared fast bowlers in world cricket today—and now, statistically, the most successful Asian pacer across the toughest conditions in the game.As India continue their quest for Test supremacy on foreign soil, Bumrah’s milestone serves as a shining testament to the evolution of fast bowling in the subcontinent—a craft once dominated by spinners, now redefined by seamers like him. To outpace a legend like Wasim Akram in conditions traditionally challenging for Asian bowlers not only highlights Bumrah’s extraordinary skillset but also underscores his immense value to the Indian Test side. With years still ahead of him, the Ahmedabad-born pacer has the opportunity to stretch this record further and inspire a new generation of Indian quicks dreaming of conquering the fast, bouncy tracks of SENA. (Agencies)
