IND vs WI: 'Umran Malik Is Not Ready' - Wasim Jaffer Surprised With Pacer's Inclusion In T20I Squad

Former India National Cricket Team opening batsman Wasim Jaffer has made a huge remark on the young express pacer Umran Malik, saying that he is not ready to play for India in T20I cricket.

Umran Malik has been named in India’s ODI and T20I squads for the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies. The ODIs will be held on July 27, July 29, and August 1. While the T20I matches are scheduled for August 3, 6, 8, 12, and 13.

In a media interaction organized by Jio Cinema, Wasim Jaffer expressed his surprise over Umran’s selection in India’s T20I squad. He said that the express pacer is better suited for Tests and ODIs and has been highly inconsistent in 20-over cricket.

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“I am a bit surprised by Umran Malik’s selection because we have seen him concede a lot of runs in IPL and T20Is. I think he is more suited to Test cricket or ODI cricket,” Wasim Jaffer said.

“He needs to learn the art of T20 cricket. I don’t think he is ready. He is selected despite being dropped in some games for the IPL. The bowling department (for the T20Is) could have been a bit better,” Wasim Jaffer added.

He is a quality player who can bat from No. 4 to No. 6 – Wasim Jaffer

Wasim Jaffer also showered praise on the “quality player” Jitesh Sharma and said that giving only the finisher tag to him is not right as he is capable of batting in the middle order as well.

“I think he has got the temperament. We have seen how destructive he is. I feel he is not just a finisher. He is a quality player who can bat from No. 4 to No. 6.

“He can hit sixes so easily and is an asset to any side. I feel the way the game is going forward, you need those players who can change the complexion of the game very quickly, and Jitesh is one of those,” he said while responding to a Sportskeeda query.

The domestic cricket giant further said that Jitesh Sharma has got great technique and he can become a good ODI player for India. He said:

“I don’t see him too far away from ODI cricket either. He has got that technique and is a very good wicketkeeper. The challenge for him going forward is to not just play a 20-ball 40 kind of innings. In Punjab Kings, we tried to send him to No. 4-5 because if he gets more balls to face, he can also score 70-80. That was the plan.”