New Delhi, Dec 2: In a recent announcement on Thursday, November 30, India disclosed its squads for the upcoming tour of South Africa, spanning ODIs, T20Is, Tests, and the A tour. However, the notable absence of Umran Malik, India’s fastest bowler, from the squads drew criticism from former cricketer Irfan Pathan.
Taking to Twitter, Pathan expressed his frustration, questioning the decision of the selection committee, led by former India pacer Ajit Agarkar. “I’m pretty sure the guy who was in the Indian team’s playing 11 few months back can surely find a place in India A side. #umranmalik,” Pathan tweeted.Umran Malik’s recent performance in the West Indies tour did not meet expectations, and the speedster has failed to make a significant impact in domestic cricket. This exclusion from the South Africa tour is the latest setback for the promising bowler.This is not the first time Pathan has voiced his support for Malik. During the Indian Premier League 2023, when Malik struggled to secure a regular spot in the SunRisers Hyderabad lineup, Pathan criticized the franchise’s handling of the league’s fastest bowler.
“League’s fastest bowler sitting out baffles me. Umran Malik wasn’t handled well by his team,” Pathan had previously tweeted in 2023.
While Pathan stands in defense of Umran, some critics question the bowler’s tendency to leak runs easily. Umran Malik’s inconsistent lines and lengths have led to a high run rate, with an economy of 6.54 in ODIs and 10.48 in T20Is. (Agencies)
