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Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan emphasizes that Umran Malik should not sacrifice his pace under any circumstances. Pathan is convinced that Malik’s speed is his greatest asset, and he should focus on enhancing his skill set while maintaining his pace rather than dialing it down.
Umran Malik, known for his express pace, made a significant impact during the IPL 2022 season. His ability to deliver sharp yorkers and intimidating bouncers at high velocities caught the attention of many. In that season, he claimed 22 wickets in 14 matches, ranking as the fourth highest wicket-taker.
However, Malik’s performance took a downturn the following year. In IPL 2023, he struggled with his control and played only 8 matches for Sunrisers Hyderabad, managing just 5 wickets. This season, his participation was minimal; he featured in only one game, bowled a single over, and conceded 15 runs.
Irfan Pathan wants Umran Malik to maintain his speed.
Irfan Pathan, who collaborated with Umran Malik during the previous domestic season, noted that adverse weather conditions in Jammu limited Malik to just 47 overs throughout the season. Despite this, the reduced match time allowed Malik to spend valuable hours honing his skills in the nets.
Pathan recently stressed that Umran Malik should not sacrifice his pace in pursuit of better control. He pointed out that India has seen several fast bowlers, such as Munaf Patel, who lost their edge by trading speed for improved swing and control. Pathan’s advice is to maintain Malik’s pace while working on other aspects of his game.
“First of all I don’t want him to compromise on pace. That’s the most important thing. I want him to bowl with a new ball in the nets which will allow him to gain better control. If he bowls with the new ball regularly, he will have a better idea of the length. He will also understand that swing will come with good wrist position. This is the primary focus, but other than this, he has been working on his yorkers,” Pathan was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Umran Malik’s international record
Umran Malik consistently bowls at speeds exceeding 150 kph, which has garnered significant attention since his early years and caught the eye of selectors. As a result, he has participated in several India A tours.
At 24 years old, Malik has featured in 8 T20 Internationals for India, claiming 11 wickets with an average of 22.09 and an economy rate of 10.48. In addition, he has played 10 One Day Internationals, where he has taken 13 wickets at an average of 30.69 and an economy rate of 6.54.
Umran Malik a genuine wicket-taker
Umran Malik is among the select fast bowlers capable of maintaining such high speeds consistently. His ability to deliver at this pace could be a game-changer for India, particularly on bouncy pitches in Australia and South Africa. However, he faces strong competition from another promising fast bowler, Mayank Yadav, who also regularly bowls at high speeds.
While Malik’s high pace can occasionally lead to expensive spells, he remains a genuine wicket-taker. With youth on his side, he will be focused on having a successful domestic season to secure a return to the national team.
