Former Indian fast bowler Ashish Nehra has stated Umran Malik was one of the biggest positives for India from the ODI series against New Zealand. Malik made an impressive ODI debut against the Kiwis as he scalped two wickets and conceded 66 runs in his quota of four overs.
The fast bowler from Jammu and Kashmir also got one more wicket in the third game, which was washed out due to rain. Malik has hogged the limelight for his extra pace and consistently bowled above 145 kmph against the Blackcaps.
Nehra revealed he has seen Umran Malik bowl 20 overs on the trot with rapid pace and the youngster has the hunger to keep going. The former Delhi bowler added Malik wants to play all three formats, which is a big positive for the team.
“There is no doubt that he is one of the shining lights of not only this tour but whenever he has played before. Everybody is excited about him and the main reason is his pace. You said that he is not someone who is only looking to bowl 4 overs. He has started his career with T20 cricket but I have seen him bowl 16-18 and 20 overs with rapid pace. He is young, he is quick. He is not someone who will hold back or bowl only 80-85 percent. He is not someone only looking to play T20 cricket which is a great thing in today’s day and age,” Nehra said on Prime Video.
Malik has definitely shown the skills to go a long way in his career. Nehra added the youngster bowled well with the old ball and feels he has all the credentials to make it big in Indian cricket.
“We have seen how T20 cricket has evolved. Majority of the players are keener to play T20 cricket first and that way he is different. The more you play the better he will get. He has shown good control with the old ball and it will be interesting to see how he bowls with the new ball, how the selectors use him and how the management wants him to be used. There is no doubt about it that all eyes will be on him in near future,” he added.
Umran Malik has the pace to breathe down the neck of the opposition. Malik is going to get better with more experience and he will look to deliver the goods for the team.
However, the 23-year-old is not part of the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh. The first ODI will be played on Sunday at Mirpur.
