the former India Fast bowler Irfan Pathan has advised the Indian cricket team management to stick with Umar Malik even if he fails to do well in his international debut. Umran got his maiden India call-up for the recently concluded T20I series against South Africa. However, he failed to find a place in the XI during the series as India played the same team in all the five matches.
The Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler has also been included in the Indian team for the tour of Ireland where Hardik Pandya will lead the team in the absence of Rohit Sharma.
Pathan backs Umran for India’s T20 spot World Cup team but first, he wants to see how he will perform in his debut match.
“He hasn’t played yet; he hasn’t debuted yet. Get him first, see how he goes when he makes his debut. But if he makes his debut and god forbid if it doesn’t go well, So don’t leave him aside,” Pathan said on Star Sports.
Umran impressed many with his raw pace in IPL As of 2022 the J&K pacer has run at a speed of 150 kmph at regular intervals to trouble the batsmen. This was the second season of IPL for Umran as he was earlier signed by SRH in place of T Natarajan in IPL 2021. The 2016 IPL champions kept the pace sensation going before the auction and it went well for both the sides.
Pathan insisted that India has never had a bowler who regularly runs at 150 kmph and the team management has to deal with him carefully.
“We have never had a bowler who bowls at 150 kmph; Now we’ve got that, so take him carefully for the long haul. You have to see what his longevity is, how long his fitness is going to take him.”
Read also | Bandon Mein Tha Dum review: A gritty tale of Indian team’s resilience culminating in a historic series-win
The veteran pacer further suggested that no coach can teach a bowler how to bowl fast as he can help him improve his bowling.
“The one thing he has is raw pace, which you either have, or you don’t have. You can’t teach anyone to bowl fast, be it Irfan Pathan or the best mentor or coach in the world, You can make him better.
Pathan said that India will not get a bowler like Umran anytime soon as he wants the management to stick with him even if he fails in the opening matches.
“You can fine-tuning; We have done that; Indian team will make it even better. But if it’s a question of the team, ask him to make a debut; If he does well, take him forward and if he doesn’t, stick with him because you don’t get such a bowler every time.
Get all the latest updates cricket news, cricket pictures, cricket videos And cricket score Here