India in all likelihood will be without the services of star pacer Jasprit Bumrah for the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, starting next month in Australia. Earlier yesterday, reports revealed that the pacer has suffered alleged back stress that could put him out of action for six months.

The 28-year-old pacer recently recovered from a back injury to make his competitive return during the T20I series against Australia earlier this month and was also named in India’s 15-man squad for the World Cup. However, Bumrah’s absence could dent the Men in Blue’s hope considering how sorely they’ve missed his expertise, especially during the slog overs in recent times.

Shoaib Akhtar highlights the reason for Jasprit Bumrah’s back stress

Now, an old video of Pakistan fast bowling legend Shoaib Akhtar has resurfaced where he could be seen predicting that Bumrah will face back issues due to his ‘frontal bowling action’.

“Bowlers with frontal bowling action use their back and shoulders to generate pace. Mine was a side-on – which compensated (for the pressure exerted on back). Remember, when a bowler with a frontal action encounters back trouble, try as hard you may but it will never leave you alone (once it starts troubling). Ian Bishop, Shane Bond, Brumah – all frontal bowlers encountered this issue,” Akhtar said on Sports Tak.

Jasprit Bumrah cannot be used in every match, reckons Shoaib Akhtar