Shami, Umesh on course to become world-class bowlers: Shoaib Akhtar

NEW DELHI: Impressed by Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav's "mature performance" in the ongoing cricket World Cup, former Pakistan pacer Shoaib Akhtar feels the duo are on the path to become "world-class" bowlers and have been the key to India's success in the tournament.

The pace duo shared four wickets between themselves as India humbled Ireland by eight wickets in their previous league encounter to register nine consecutive World Cup wins and also confirm their top spot going into the quarter-finals.

India have also had the distinction of bowling their opponents out in all the five outings and Akhtar is all praise for the pace duo's contribution.

"50 wickets in 5 matches is an incredible task. I am glad to see such matured performances from Shami and Umesh in all the matches and I believe its not long before they are regarded as world-class bowlers," Akhtar, who is part of the Star Sports Hindi commentary panel, told PTI.

Shami, who picked three wickets in Hamilton to restrict the Irish side to 259 all out, has bagged 12 wickets from four matches in the tournament so far. Umesh, on the other hand, has bagged seven scalps from five games and has exuded confidence and pace in his bowling so far.

And Akhtar said it's a treat to watch the duo bowl. "It is truly a joy to watch them bowl so beautifully and enjoy their cricket," the Rawalpindi Express said.