Srinagar: Legendary Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram once again has voiced his support and admiration for the J&K’s pace sensation Umran Malik, terming its wrong to keep pacer out of Team India.
Wasim Akram has been hailing raw talent of Umran Malik. During Asia Cup too, Akram has vouched for the India quick’s inclusion in the World Cup squad.
Recently, Australia legend Brett Lee, had mentioned Umran is like ‘the best sports car’ available in the market but the Indian team is wasting it by ‘keeping it parked in a garage’.
“That’s what I said as well (Brett Lee comment) when I had gone during the Asia Cup. You have this fast bowler… like we have Shaheen, Naseem, Haris… they all had pace. Now Umran has the pace too. I think in the summer, against Ireland, he got taken for a few runs, which is fine. In T20s, you do get taken for runs. After that they took him off. He is playing First-Class cricket now. But if you have pace, if he stays with you, plays with you, he will improve quicker. He will pick the mindset. But I think their think-tank is totally different,” Akram said on A-Sports while reacting to Brett Lee comments about Umran Malik.
Umran was included in India’s squad for the home T20I series against South Africa back in June but did not get a game. Umran is currently playing for Jammu & Kashmir in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy T20 Tournament.
Akram’s fellow panelist Shoaib Malik however disagreed with his former Pakistan captain.
“I feel it is the right decision because he is too raw. You can get polished by playing matches,” Malik said.
Akram interrupted by saying: “Haris Rauf bhi toh raw hi aaya tha na? (Haris Rauf was raw too when he debuted, right?)”.
Haris Rauf has emerged out as stars pacer for Pakistan in limited overs. In absence of Shaheen Afridi he has been the main bowler for the Pakistan.