Umran Malik, India’s only pacer to clock 150+ Km/h in the speedometer at the moment, is in New Zealand to take part in a three-match T20I and ODI series. With the first T20I getting washed out on November 18, Friday, it remains to see if the young pacer would get an opportunity to don the Indian jersey in the next clash to be played on Sunday.
Zaheer Khan, the former Indian bowler, opened up on Malik and said that the pacer’s exposure to playing alongside international cricketers might help the cricketer, although Malik retaining his spot would highly depend on himself.
“Umran has been a very exciting talent and this kind of exposure is definitely going to help him, it is about how he takes things forward if he wants to grab the spot consistently,” Zaheer was quoted as saying.
You need a left-arm bowler: Zaheer Khan
India found an X-factor in Arshdeep Singh, the left-arm pacer and Zaheer claimed that the Indian setup needs a left-arm bowler who could do the damage for team India. The former team India cricketer added that the variety in the pace attack can do the Men in Blue a lot of favours in overseas conditions.
“The variety in your pace attack is a must and you have seen teams following that kind of pattern. You need a left-arm bowler, you need someone who can swing the ball, you need someone who is an out-and-out fast bowler,” Zaheer was quoted as saying.
“If everything is in one package, then even better but if not, you would like to use the variety in your attack in the bowling lineup and use different conditions well,” said the former left-arm pacer further.
As things stand, the Men in Blue will look to win the second T20I to be hosted by Bay Oval on Sunday and a win in the series could change the momentum in India’s favour. Kane Williamson and his men would look to stop India from claiming an early lead and carry on with their dominance in the shortest format of the game.
