South African spinner Tabraiz Shamsi recently drew attention to a remarkable statistical similarity he shares with Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah in T20 internationals. Sharing his discovery on X (formerly Twitter), Shamsi expressed his surprise at the identical numbers.
“Fun fact… Jasprit Bumrah and I have played the exact same amount of T20 international games, bowled the exact same number of balls, and taken the exact same amount of wickets! Such a crazy coincidence,” Shamsi wrote, accompanied by a comparison of their career stats.
Identical T20I Records
Both Shamsi and Bumrah have played 70 T20Is and bowled 1,509 deliveries, taking 89 wickets each. While Bumrah has bowled in 69 innings, Shamsi has done so in 70. Bumrah, known for his pinpoint accuracy, boasts an impressive economy rate of 6.27 runs per over. Shamsi, a spinner, has a slightly higher economy of 7.39 but also holds the distinction of claiming a five-wicket haul.
Bumrah Prepares for Australia Challenge
Currently, Bumrah is gearing up in Perth for the highly anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. The Indian pacer faces high expectations, especially after India’s recent home series defeat against New Zealand.
Bumrah’s record in Australia has been exceptional, and his unique bowling action has been a topic of discussion among opponents. Australian opener Usman Khawaja, who has faced Bumrah multiple times, shared his thoughts on what makes the pacer stand out.
“When you first face him, it’s his action that catches you off guard,” Khawaja explained. “His release point is different—further forward than most bowlers—and it feels like the ball gets to you quicker than expected. But once you get used to it, it’s fine. Not that he can’t get me out first ball,” he added with a smile.
A Tale of Two Exceptional Bowlers
As Shamsi and Bumrah continue to impress on the international stage, their coincidental statistics highlight the unpredictable and fascinating nature of cricket. While Bumrah focuses on Test cricket in Australia, Shamsi remains a vital figure in South Africa’s limited-overs setup, showcasing the versatility and talent both players bring to their teams.
