India cricketer Parvez Rasool has backed Umran Malik to learn quickly, saying that the Srinagar fast bowler deserves to be fast-tracked into the Indian team across all formats, saying he doesn’t agree with people who are backing him to be given a go first in Test cricket.
Parvez Rasool, who had become the first man from Jammu and Kashmir to play for the IPL, heaped rich praise on Umran Malik, highlighting his rapid rise to become one of the most-followed young talents.
Umran Malik, who had got an opportunity to be a net bowler for SunRisers Hyderabad ni IPL 2021, got a contract for SRH after T Natarajan was ruled out due to Covid-19. Umran caught the attention of the team management with his raw pace and impressed so much so that he was retained for Rs 4 crore along with fellow Jammu and Kashmir cricketer, Abdul Samad.
Umran went to the T20 World Cup as India’s net bowler in the UAE and his rise to the top of the wicket-takers’ list has been stunning in IPL 2022. Consistently hitting speeds in excess of 150 kph on a consistent basis, Umran has picked up 15 wickets in 10 matches.
“Given the form that Umran is in, I think BCCI should try to fast-track him in the Indian squad across all formats,” Rasool
“There is some talk that he should be preserved for red-ball cricket, but remember he made his presence felt in T20 only when the Indian team management drafted him as a net bowler in the squad for the T20 World Cup in the UAE last year on the basis of his performance in IPL 2021,” he added.
Umran Malik has been going through a mini slump, having conceded 100 runs in the last 2 matches. Umran gave away 0/52 against Delhi Capitals on Thursday and 0/48 against Chennai Super Kings earlier this week.
QUICK LEARNER
However, Rasool believes Umran has the ability to learn quickly from his mistakes and get better with every passing match.
”He made full use of the opportunities this year and the management is in no position to drop him from the playing XI. There could be the odd bad days, but Imran is a quick learner – you can make out from the control over his yorkers.
“He is benefitting from his association with Dale Steyn, their fast bowling coach, and will add the other variations,” Rasool added.
It will be interesting to see if India selectors pick Umran for the upcoming 5-match T20I series against South Africa which comes right after the end of the IPL in June.
