Former Pakistan
pacer Shoaib Akhtar has cast doubts over Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah’s ability to
play all three formats of the game for prolonged periods, citing his “difficult
action” and workload as the potential hindrances.

Speaking to
Aakash Chopra on his Youtube channel, the 44-year old said, “Bumrah has a
difficult action and cannot play all formats. He was very brave to display his skill
in Test cricket, he is hardworking and focused but can his back sustain his
workload given his action?”

“I watched
him before his injury and I told my friends he will break down. I told them his action puts a lot of pressure on his back and it won’t be able to support him for long. He has to be very careful
as rare talents like him don’t come around often,” he added.

Bumrah shot
to fame through a string of impressive performances in the Indian Premier
League in 2016, picking 15 wickets in 14 matches, before making his ODI
and T20I debuts in India’s tour of Australia later that year.

Bumrah
quickly became the spearhead of the India’s bowling attack, primarily due to his
searing pace, which led to him leading the attack in all three formats
following his Test debut against South Africa in 2018.

However, the
Ahmedabad-born pacer sustained back a back injury after the tour to West Indies
in August last year, which kept him out of action for the remainder of the year. He made his comeback in the New Zealand tour, where he seemed off his
best.

Bumrah will next feature in Mumbai Indians’ title defence campaign in the upcoming edition of the IPL, which is being hosted in the UAE.