The second week of the 2023 World Cup has just ended, and it was filled with some spectacular bowling performances, like Jasprit Bumrah’s 2/19 against archrivals Pakistan.
In the second week of the current quadrennial event, Afghanistan defeated England and the Netherlands defeated South Africa. Bowlers, in general, have a significant role in such unexpected results.
With that in mind, here are the best five bowling performances from Week 2 of the 2023 World Cup, including Jasprit Bumrah’s effort against Pakistan.
5. Lockie Ferguson – 3/49 against Bangladesh
Lockie Ferguson likely had the finest Week 2 appearance of any bowler, as he was New Zealand’s outstanding bowler in both matches. He took three wickets against Bangladesh and three against Afghanistan.
Although he only gave up 19 runs against the Afghans, two of his wickets came late in the innings, when the game was already in the Kiwis’ favor. On the other side, against the Bangla Tigers, he took crucial wickets of Tanzid Hasan, Mehidy Hasan, and Shakib Al Hasan.
4. Logan van Beek – 3/60 against South Africa
Logan van Beek played important role in the Netherlands’ memorable victory over South Africa, who had previously gone undefeated in the competition. The 33-year-old wasn’t very economical, but all of his wickets were crucial.
Whenever the Proteas formed a partnership, Dutch captain Scott Edwards sent the ball to Logan van Beek. Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, and Keshav Maharaj were the top three run scorers for South Africa on the day.
3. Mujeeb Ur Rahman – 3/51 against England
In a stunning upset during Week 2 of the 2023 World Cup, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and his partner Rashid Khan spearheaded Afghanistan’s victory over defending champions England by a margin of 69 runs. Despite his young age of 22, Mujeeb displayed exceptional skill with the ball, taking three crucial wickets. Additionally, he showcased his batting prowess by scoring an impressive 28 runs off just 16 balls.
Rashid and Mujeeb, the two spinners, both took three wickets each. However, Mujeeb’s dismissals were of more significant players in the game. He managed to get Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Chris Woakes out as his team secured their first victory in the 2023 World Cup.
2. Adam Zampa – 4/47 against Sri Lanka
Adam Zampa took four wickets against Sri Lanka in Lucknow in what may be a watershed moment for Australia in the 2023 World Cup. After losing their first two games, Pat Cummins’ men needed this victory.
The leg-spinner wove webs around the Lankan hitters and was LBW three times. David Warner caught skipper Kusal Mendis off Zampa’s bowling before Sadeera Samarawickrama, Chamika Karunaratne, and Maheesh Theekshana were all scalped by the cunning spinner.
1. Jasprit Bumrah – 2/19 against Pakistan
Jasprit Bumrah may not have taken the most wickets on the list, but his two wickets were crucial in helping India defeat Pakistan in the 2023 World Cup. Furthermore, Jasprit Bumrah’s spell was incredibly cost effective.
Rohit Sharma pulled him back into the attack at the appropriate time, and he troubled Mohammad Rizwan’s stumps admirably. Later in the innings, Jasprit Bumrah bowled Shadab Khan to conclude his performance with four wickets for 19 runs in seven overs on a ground where his fellow Indian speed bowlers were going for 5-7 runs per over.
