Umran Malik reacts to his comparison with Pakistan’s Waqar Younis, saying “my idols are Shami, Bumrah and Bhuvi”: Jammu and Kashmir pacer Umran Malik has made swift progress in his cricketing career following his heroics in the Indian Premier League (IPL). After the completion of the Tata IPL 2022, Malik received his maiden call-up for the Indian national side against South Africa (SA). Moreover, the speedster is widely reckoned as a future star for the Men in Blue.
The young SRH speedster lit up everyone’s eye with his thunderbolts. Malik rattled through the opposition’s top and middle order in the IPL 2022 with his raw pace and destroyed stumps with his 150+ KMPH deliveries.
Umran ended up his Tata IPL 2022 campaign with 22 wickets from 14 matches. The pacer bowled the fastest delivery by the Indian pacer (156.9 KPH) in the IPL. Under the watchful eyes of Dale Steyn, Malik progressed rapidly and earned praises from all around the globe.
Former Australian pacer Bret Lee said he is a huge fan of Umran Malik and he even compared him with Pakistan’s legendary cricketer Waqar Younis.
“I am a big fan. I think Umran Malik has got a lot of pace to burn. He is a competitor, a top guy, who runs in like a lot of fast bowlers in the past. Waqar Younis is the person who comes to mind,” Lee told ANI.
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My idols are Jasprit Bumarh, Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar: Umran
But, Umran Malik has denied following Waqar Younis as his idol. The ‘Jammu Express’ takes inspiration from Jasprit Bumrah, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mohammad Shami.
“I have not followed Waqar Younis. I have a natural action. My idols include (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Shami and Bhuvneshwar (Kumar) bhai. I used to follow them when I was playing while coming through the ranks,” said Umran at Indian Express Idea Exchange.
“There’s no point getting carried away. If it is destined to happen, it will Inshallah. I want to do my best for my country. I have got an opportunity in these five (T20I) matches (against South Africa). My goal will be that we win all five matches, I perform well and single-handedly win those games for India,” he further added.
The 22-years old further thanked everyone for their support and said that he is grateful for all the love and respect he is receiving of late.
“Firstly, I am really grateful for all the love and respect that I have been getting from all over India. Relatives and other people keep coming home, it feels very good. I have been a bit busy after the IPL, but have not missed training and practice.”
Meanwhile, the selectors have picked Umarn Malik in India’s squad for the five T20Is against South Africa, starting June 9. Malik is highly likely to make his debut, especially looking at the level of excitement among the selectors and Indian management.
South Africa and India will lock horns for the first T20I in Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on June 9.
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