South Africa star player opens up on facing Umran Malik

The much-anticipated series between India and South Africa is just two days away from its start. The five-match T20I series will start on June 9. Ahead of the series, the Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma has made a big statement on tearaway pacer Umran Malik. Bavuma said that no batter wants to face a bowler who bowls at more than 150 kmph per hour.

The 32-year-old acknowledged that the Proteas batter grow up facing pacers and also mentioned that the team will be prepared for Malik. The right-hander added that his side also has bowlers who can bowl at such a rapid pace. The Cape Town-born player further added that Malik is a special talent and the former hopes that the Jammu and Kashmir player emulates his Indian T20 League performance.

“I think in South Africa we grow up facing fast bowlers but I don’t think no batter likes to face a ball at 150 kmph. But you prepare as well as you can. We also got guys who can bowl 150 kmph. So we have that weaponry in our arsenal. But Umran Malik is a special talent for Team India and I hope that he could emulate his ITL performance in international cricket,” – Temba Bavuma on Umran Malik.

Talking about the series, the Green Brigade has arrived in India and will field a full-strength squad for the series. The reason for this could be is that this is their first T20I game since the 20-20 World Cup last year and the next edition is approaching in the next few months. On the other hand, the Men In Blue have rested their senior players for the series.

It can be reasoned from the fact that they played a grueling season of Indian T20 League 2022 and have the upcoming England tour in mind. Those players will head to England later this month and play a four-day warm-up game ahead of the fifth Test match in Birmingham. The Indian team is leading the five-match series by 2-1.