J&K’s speed sensation Umran Malik makes it to international cricket

Called up for South Africa tour

Srinagar May 22 (PTK) Umran Malik, the speed sensation from Jammu Kashmir, has received his maiden call-up to the national side after being included in the squad to play five T20Is against South Africa in June.

Umran joins an Indian outfit that will be without senior stars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli after the national selectors decided to rest some familiar names following the grind of IPL 2022.

KL Rahul will take the reigns over the T20I side while Rishabh Pant was named his deputy, Sports Star reported.

Malik, who recently boeled 157 kph is also the fifth-highest wicket-taker this IPL, with 21 wickets in 13 matches at an average of 20 and economy rate of 8.93.

In his first full IPL season with the Sunrisers Hyderabad, Malik boasts the second-best figures so far this season (5 for 25).

Seasoned India wicket-keeper Dinesh Karthik also made a comeback into the T20I squad after a span of three years.

Left-arm seamer Arshdeep Singh also received a call-up to the national side after an impressive season with the Punjab Kings.

Last year Umran Malik who was given chance by Sunrisers Hyderabad after their one bowler got injured impressed every one with his sheer pace.

He in his very first match bowled fastest ball of the season by any Indian bowler while in his second match he bowled fastest ball of the IPL season 2021 by any bowler.

Malik was later chosen as Team India’s net bowler for the ongoing T20 World Cup, in which India failed to get a spot in semi-finals.

Many international players had heaped praises for Malik after watching him bowling consistently over @150 KPH and hoped that he will perform well at international stage if he will properly looked after.

Notably, Umran Malik, a resident of Gujjar Nagar Jammu became the fourth player from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the IPL after Parvaiz Rasool, Rasikh Salam and Abdul Samad. (PTK)