Cricket legend Wasim Akram praises Australian skipper Pat Cummins’ leadership during the Ashes series

One of the greatest cricketers of all time has praised ‘phenomenal’ Pat Cummins, saying the Australian captain is proof that ‘bowlers can make better captains’ for one crucial reason.

Wasim Akram, who captained Pakistan for 25 matches during his exceptional 104 Test career, has grown tired of the constant criticism of Pat Cummins and his captaincy.

From the beginning of Cummins’ time as skipper, his captaincy was questioned, first with the idea that he could not succeed because he is a fast bowler.

And, particularly in Australia, cricket figures have traditionally believed that only specialist batsmen make good Test captains.

All terrain and goalkeepers? It’s not bad, but there are too many things to add in the captaincy as well. But fast bowlers? Forget it.

The Pakistani says Cummins, pictured with his wife Becky and their son Albie, is very popular and respected by his teammates.

In the history of Test cricket, stretching back nearly 150 years, there hasn’t exactly been a long list of fast bowlers who have seen sustained captains’ success.

Akram himself and fellow big boys Imran Khan and Waqar Younis led very impressive Pakistani teams, while Indian legend Kapil Dev got even better when he was handed the captaincy. South African Shaun Pollock, English closer Bob Willis and lanky West Indians Jason Holder and Courtney Walsh were also highly respected leaders.

But still, the criticism of Cummins remains. I can’t do both. He is focusing too much on climate activism. It’s too nice. He didn’t call Jonny Bairstow again. His camps are too reactionary or too planned.

Wasim Akram believes that fast bowlers make even better captains than batsmen, because they know how to handle bowlers.

Cummins celebrates after his amazing innings led Australia to win the first test at Edgbaston

But Akram brushed aside criticism of the heroic skipper whose shovel led Australia to an impressive victory in the first Ashes Test, showing enormous leadership and stamina to chase down the English total with Nathan Lyon.

“Pat Cummins has shown that it’s wrong … that particular concept that bowlers can’t be good captains,” Akram told the herald sun.

‘I think Pat is doing a phenomenal job. I worked with him about six or seven years ago in the IPL for a couple of years.

“He is a great leader on and off the pitch, a humble human being and is loved by the team. He’s one of those guys who always has a smile on his face and has the positivity that he brings to the team as a leader.”

Akram not only believes that Cummins’s critics have been hopelessly wrong, but he completely dismisses the notion that specialist fast bowlers cannot be test captains.

One point is perfectly clear from the outside.

Cummins is one of the most loved and respected captains among his teammates who has seen the Australian team for many years.

Cummins, pictured with close teammate Mitch Marsh (left), is often seen beaming on the cricket pitch, as are many of his adored teammates.

The Australian skipper plays with his son Albie after winning the second Test at Lords

And Akram not only backs Cummins to silence the critics, he believes that bowlers like the Australian superstar are better options than specialist batsmen for one crucial reason: they understand bowlers and how to handle them better than anyone.

“I think bowlers can make better captains because they know how to manage their bowlers,” Akram said.

“A batting captain might give you an extra over for your spell and you could be out all day, but as a bowler, he might know that this bowler is good enough to bowl two four-over spells, not one four-over spell.” six overs”.

Of course, Cummins now faces one of the biggest tests of his career as a captain.

Cummins, pictured discussing tactics with Marnus Labuschagne (centre) and Steve Smith (left), faces the biggest test of his career as captain on the final day of the third Test, which could clinch the Ashes.

After the Australian batsmen imploded after a rain-married day four, England resumed at 0-27 in search of 251 on the final day.

And while the home team might be in the box at Headingly, it’s safe to say we’ve discovered that absolutely anything can happen in this series.

Without the reliable Lyon to rely on, how does Cummins use wunderkind Todd Murphy? And will he put the sweepers back on the fence in what is a lightning fast outfield, or will he hold the field to attack Bazball mentality?

Short balls? Above?

His bowling and leadership will need to be exemplary if Australia are to win (or tie) and retain the ballot box.

And Akram, a cunning mind such as there is in the game, certainly thinks he can do it.

Because he’s a fast pitcher, after all.