Aakash Chopra picks top 5 T20I pacers of 2024, no place for Jasprit Bumrah

Aakash Chopra has picked his top five T20I pacers of 2024. Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Shah Afridi are among the prominent seamers who failed to make his list.

Chopra restricted his selection to bowlers who have played at least 10 T20Is in the year. He also considered the quality of the opposition while making his choices.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel 'Aakash Chopra', the former India opener chose Pakistan's Haris Rauf at No. 5.

"At No. 5, I have kept Haris Rauf. He took three wickets against India if you talk about the World Cup, seven wickets against New Zealand in New Zealand, and five wickets against Australia in just two games. He has picked up 27 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 19 and an economy of nine," he said (1:55).

Chopra picked New Zealand's Lockie Ferguson at No. 4.

"At No. 4, I have kept Lockie Ferguson. He has played only 10 matches. However, he has taken 20 wickets. His economy is just 4.88 and he has an average of 9.25. He picked up four wickets against Australia in just 3.5 overs while giving 12 runs. He has a few three-wicket hauls as well," he elaborated.

Matheesha Pathirana was the only Sri Lankan bowler to make the cricketer-turned-commentator's list.

"At No. 3, we have put Matheesha Pathirana's name. There is no doubt that he has grown in stature. He has picked up 28 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 7.67 and an average of 13.25. The last time he went wicketless was against South Africa in New York," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra noted that Pathirana's performances are even more noteworthy as he doesn't bowl with the new ball. He added that an economy of close to 7.50 despite bowling predominantly at the death is outstanding.

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"I have gone with a slightly left-field selection" - Aakash Chopra on Abbas Afridi

Abbas Afridi picked up six wickets in three games in Pakistan's T20I series against Australia. [P/C: Getty]

In the same video, Aakash Chopra picked Abbas Afridi as the second Pakistan seamer in his top five.

"I have gone with a slightly left-field selection here. I have not kept Shaheen Shah Afridi, but the other Afridi, Abbas Afridi, at No. 2. He has picked up 30 wickets in 18 matches. His economy is less than 8.5 and has an average of 14.96. He has taken a lot of wickets consistently and against good teams," he said.

The analyst chose India's Arshdeep Singh as the best T20I pacer of the year.

"I have kept Arshdeep Singh at No. 1. He has picked up 36 wickets in 18 matches at an economy of 7.49 and an average of 13.5. He lives up to any parameter you set. He gives a breakthrough every time with the new ball. The last time he went wicketless was 27th June," Chopra observed.

Aakash Chopra highlighted that Jasprit Bumrah wasn't considered because he played only eight T20Is this year. He added that Shaheen Shah Afridi doesn't figure in his list despite taking 36 wickets as he didn't fare well against top-level opposition.