The fiery Indian pacer, Umran Malik became the find of the season in the Indian Premier League (IPL), and hence, he garnered a lot of eyeballs from around the world. While there’s no denying the talent that the Indian pace sensation has, there remain those who still aren’t impressed. Pakistani fast bowler, Shaheen Afridi, when asked about Umran’s blistering pace, gave an indifferent answer.
Umran Malike was the highest wicket-taking Indian pacer in the IPL 2022 season, as he managed to scalp as many as 22 wickets as he terrorized batters with his raw pace. There, however, is no denying that the speedster from Jammu & Kashmir is still just a raw pacer and it will take some time for him to become a mainstay in international cricket.
The Indian pacer wasn’t the only ultra-fast bowler in the tournament as New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson also mesmerized fans with his ability to bowl in excess of 150 kph. In fact, it was the Kiwi who bowled the fastest ball of the tournament, at 157.3 kph, that too in the final.
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However, Shaheen Afridi had an indifferent response when asked about Lockie and Umran’s pace in the T20 league.
During a press conference ahead of Pakistan’s ODI series against West Indies, he said, “Speed can’t help you if you don’t have line and length and swing.”
Speaking of the series against the men from the Caribbean, Shaheen Afridi asserted the assignment’s importance, especially keeping the ODI World Cup qualification in mind.
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Shaheen Afridi said, “The weather is hot but we are looking forward to playing good cricket in it. It would be a tough challenge for the fast bowlers to bowl long spells in summer but as a professional, we are ready to face it,” he maintained. “This is an important series in terms of World Cup qualification which is why we don’t want to lose any match. Also, West Indies are a strong international side and it is not as if they are sending under-19 players for this series.”
Here is how the fans reacted:
I am certain that it wasn’t said in that context . Can’t believe a good bowler like Shaheen will discourage a youngster like that so bluntly .
— Sports Enthusiast P (@PBanerj47090168) June 3, 2022
why tf are these pakistan journalists so interested about our players? tumko kya karne ka hai ki uski line length kaisi hai? aur shaheen ko apne series pe focus karne do saalo.
— HITMAN_45🔥🔥 (@cricketlover264) June 4, 2022
https://twitter.com/raufrajput97/status/1532770831729938432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
https://twitter.com/caniyaar/status/1532771847267311617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Wharra line and length 👌 pic.twitter.com/CtJb7Ol3KP
— Vicky (@Tendulkrar) June 3, 2022
