Bhuvneshwar Kumar's new ball ability will never be doubted: Wasim Jaffer

India bowed out of the Asia Cup after marmalizing Afghanistan in their last game of the continental tournament. While the former Indian skipper Virat Kohli made the headlines for his unprecedented 71st century in international cricket, veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar broke the back of the Afghani chase with his second five-wicket haul in T20Is. Former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer stated that there should be no doubt on Bhuvneshwar's new ball bowling ability after this performance.

The Men in Blue, led by stand-in skipper KL Rahul, registered the highest score of the tournament so far, putting a total of 212 runs on the board. Centurion Virat Kohli stitched a belligerent 119-run stand with KL Rahul for the first wicket, setting the template for the rest of the innings. And when the Afghan side came out to bat in pursuit of the chase, they were on the receiving end of a scintillating bowling spell by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who returned with mindblowing bowling figures of 4/5 in his four overs.

While speaking on BatBricks7 Presents Run Ki Runneeti show on CricTracker, former Indian opener Wasim Jaffer suggested that there should be no question about the veteran pacer's abilities with the new ball. He has not been at his best in the death overs, but he is still one of the best in the business.

"Unfortunately, he has leaked runs in the death overs in the tournament. It is outstanding to take two five-wicket hauls in T20I cricket. But I don't think there was any doubt about his new ball bowling, or there will be any doubt about his new-ball bowling in the future. It's just that he did not have two good games where he was taken for plenty in the two death overs," Jaffer said to CricTracker.

It is the actual challenge for a bowler to excel in the powerplay as well as at the death: Wasim Jaffer

The cricketer-turned-expert also highlighted the challenges of bowling in the death overs when asked about Bhuvneshwar's poor showing at the latter stages of the matches in the Asia Cup. He stated that it is the biggest challenge for bowlers to excel with the new ball and old ball alike, but the great bowlers do that, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar is one of them.

"The time was different. It was the 19th over. Bowling at the death requires different skills than bowling in the powerplay. It is the actual challenge for a bowler to excel at both stages. All the great bowlers do that, including Bhuvneshwar Kumar," He added.