Shoaib Akhtar’s record reportedly broken by Indian pacer
Shoaib Akhtar (Image Source: Twitter)
The Indian team is ready to take on South Africa in a five-match T20I series at home. The national selectors have selected a squad of fringe players for the series. Big guns like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Jasprit Bumrah have been rested for the series, while KL Rahul will be leading the team.
The squad for the series has some of the top performers in the Indian T20 League 2022. Speaking of the top performers in the Indian T20 League 2022, Umran Malik was one of the most exciting discoveries for India in the tournament. His ability to bowl over 150 kmph regularly impressed one and all. Along with his speed and pace, his potency with the ball also impressed the spectators. Malik picked up 22 wickets in the tournament and his brilliant exploits earned him the maiden call up to the national team.
While playing in ITL 2022, Malik bowled a delivery at 157 kmph, which turned out to be the second-fastest delivery in the tournament. After the tournament finished, Malik was heard saying that he has eyes on becoming the fastest bowler in international cricket. He stated that he wishes to break the record that currently belongs to the former Pakistani pacer Shoaib Akhtar. In what comes as the latest reports Malik has broken the record of the fastest delivery in international cricket.
Speaking of the delivery, Malik clocked 163.7 kmph in the training session ahead of the first match of the South Africa series. His pace immediately impressed the Head Coach of the Indian team, Rahul Dravid.
Quoting Rahul Dravid from Twelfth Man Times – “Yeah, it is exciting. He certainly bowled quick and with pace. Obviously, he is learning. He is a young boy and he is getting better, improving. The more he is able to play, the better he is going to get. From our, perspective, very happy to have someone like him in the mix. We have to see how much playing time we can give him, we need to be realistic, we have a large squad, it is not possible to give everyone playing XI time. I think I am certainly someone who likes to have that consistency, give people te and let him feel settled in the positions.”
