“Umran Malik can be a superstar in all formats of the game”- Brett Lee

“Umran Malik can be a superstar in all formats of the game”- Brett Lee

Umran Malik and Brett Lee

When it comes to the speed sensation Umran Malik, there is always mix opinions. Some hail the young talent while some believe that speed is nothing if the bowler doesn’t have line, length and swing. But one can’t disagree that Umran Malik will have to do a lot to improve.

The 22-year-old was the find of Sunrisers Hyderabad of the recently concluded IPL 2022. What is best about him is his consistency in bowling at 150 kph. He had remained the fastest bowler in IPL 2022 (clocking 157 kph), until Lockie Ferguson (157.3) of Gujarat Titans superseded him in the finals. The Jammu & Kashmir player is likely to make his debut in the home series against South Africa, which will began on 9 June.

Australian veteran speedster Brett Lee is among those who has the opinion that Umran Malik should be picked up in the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which will be played later this year in Australia (16 October-13 November).

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“Umran Malik looks like a little Waqar Younis running into to bowl”- Brett Lee

Umran Malik
Umran Malik

In an exclusive interview with Firstpost, Brett Lee was asked who will be the other two pacers, apart from Jaspreet Bumrah, for the T20 World Cup. Lee said:

“It’s hard to say. You have five or six different options. I will give you one option and that is Umran Malik. I think it will be great to see the youngster getting the opportunity to run in and bowl fast on what might be a better wicket that will suit his bowling style, you know bouncy wicket. To bowl over 150kph is hard work, let’s not dodge around that fact. The reason a lot of bowlers bowl at 130kph or 140kph is because it’s hard work to bowl fast consistently. I like what I see in the kid. I like what he brings to the table. And I think he can get quicker.”

He also opined that Umran Malik is needed to manage well and that the management will have to allow him to bowl freely. Because sometimes a lot of coaching staff, when they see a guy bowling 150 kph, they say ‘he might be too expensive, let’s try to bring his pace back and try to bowl outswingers.’ “He can bowl at 150 kph and swing the ball. So, why not do that,” said Lee.

“I believe he can be a superstar, in all formats of the game. We have seen in the IPL. He has burst onto the scene and everyone now knows his name. He looks like a little Waqar Younis running into to bowl. It’s exciting…I think he can play Test cricket. I think he’s going to be good,” Lee added.

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