Mohammad Rizwan admits Jasprit Bumrah is the toughest bowler he has ever faced 

Mohammad Rizwan acknowledged Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler he has faced in his decade-long international cricketing journey.

Mohammad Rizwan admits Jasprit Bumrah is the toughest bowler he has ever faced 

Mohammad Rizwan named Jasprit Bumrah as the toughest bowler he has faced over the years. (via NDTV)

Pakistan ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan most recently confessed that star Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah is the toughest bowler he has ever faced in his ten-year-long international career. Apart from Bumrah, he also named Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. 

While Mohammad Rizwan was full of praise for Jasprit Bumrah and Josh Hazlewood in an off-the-field conversation, things haven’t been going his way for him on the field. The 32-year-old is leading the Men in Green for an ODI series against New Zealand away from home. Pakistan are currently touring the island nation for a white-ball series, which includes five T20Is and three ODIs.

While visitors have already lost the T20Is series 4-1, they were hoping for a resurgence in the 50-over format. The first ODI, however, went in favor of the Kiwis. Batting first, New Zealand posted a massive total of 344 runs, thanks to a brilliant 132-run innings from Mark Chapman. The Kiwis were also helped by half-centuries from Daryl Mitchell and 21-year-old debutante Muhammad Abbas.

Chasing the target, Pakistan seemed to be in control, with the top-order firing. However, wickets kept falling, as they were ultimately bowled out in the 45th over for 271 runs, falling short of 73 runs. Skipper Mohammad Rizwan himself failed to capitalize on the good start, scoring just 30 runs off 34 balls. It, therefore, marks a poor year for the Pakistani team that has struggled across all formats of the game.

Rizwan’s role as captain has also come under scrutiny following the team’s recent group-stage exit at the 2025 Champions Trophy. He has already been replaced by Salman Agha in the shortest format. Amid criticism, the 32-year-old recently sat at a discussion with teammates, Fakhar Zaman and Naseem Shah. The three players were invited on a special show hosted by former Pakistani pacer Wahab Riaz.

They were subsequently questioned about the toughest players they have faced in their international career so far. Responding to the question, Rizwan revealed that he did have trouble facing Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood. The 32-year-old later added that Indian pacer and the world’s no. 1 Test bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, is the other bowler, whom he finds difficult to bat against in recent times.

When I started playing international cricket, I felt Josh Hazlewood was the toughest I faced. But now it is Jasprit Bumrah.

Mohammad Rizwan on the toughest bowler he has faced (H/T ANI)

Bumrah had most notably dismissed Rizwan in a match between India and Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup, a wicket that turned into a game-changer. Meanwhile, Zaman named Englishman Jofra Archer as someone who is tough to face with the new ball. Naseem Shah, being a fast bowler, on the other hand, picked England skipper Jos Buttler as his toughest opponent. 

Good news for Mumbai Indians as Jasprit Bumrah resumes bowling at NCA

Indian cricket team star and Mumbai Indians’ bowler Jasprit Bumrah has started bowling in the nets at BCCI’s Center of Excellence in Bengaluru on his way to recovering from a back injury. The 31-year-old has remained out of action since the fifth test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Sydney. 

Jasprit Bumrah recovery NCA
Jasprit Bumrah has resumed bowling at the NCA, sparking rumors of an early return. (via India Today)

Bumrah suffered a back injury earlier this year, which even kept him out of India’s squad for the recently ended 2025 Champions Trophy. He is yet to be cleared by the NCA as his IPL side Mumbai Indians are eagerly awaiting his return to action for the ongoing 2025 season. Much to their good fortune, the 31-year-old was recently seen bowling with full intensity in the nets, sparking speculations of a return. 

While MI will be hoping to utilize the services of Bumrah, former players, like Shane Bond, have advised the player to take caution. He will be key for India in the upcoming five-match Test series against England, away from home.