My Mother Would Not Stop Me From Playing Cricket Despite Breaking Window Glass – Umran Malik
Published - 06 Jun 2022, 05:59 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:08 AM
Jammu & Kashmir pace sensation Umran Malik revealed his mischievous acts during childhood.
Malik was the talking point throughout the IPL 2022 for his sheer raw pace and blazing speed balls. Malik would rattle the stumps using his variations, ask the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Wriddhiman Saha, or David Miller about their reaction on facing the 22-year-old.
They might just wear the ‘sigh of relief’ expression on their face and the Indians would be delighted to not face Malik on the other side.
I loved fast bowling from the beginning: Umran Malik
Bowling above 150kmph has been a norm for Malik as he clocked 157 kmph speed in a match against Delhi Capitals to record the fastest delivery of the tournament. Gujarat Titans pacer Lockie Ferguson broke the record with 157.3 kmph in the IPL 2022 final.
Malik shared some funny moments of his childhood and revealed his mother’s reaction when he shattered glass windows at home.
“I loved fast bowling from the beginning. When I was young, I would play with a plastic ball at home and would get scolded for breaking glass windows,” Malik said at the Indian Express Idea Exchange.
“But even then, my mother would not stop me from playing and would say, ‘khel, tod’ (Play, break),” he added.
Umran Malik likely to make debut for India in South Africa T20Is
Malik picked 22 wickets in 14 games at an average of 20.18 with best figures 5/25 against eventual champions Gujarat Titans.
Malik broke Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah’s record of becoming the youngest bowler to collect 20 wickets in an IPL season.
Bumrah claimed 20 wickets in IPL 2017 at 21.95 and thus became the youngest bowler to achieve the landmark at 23 years and 165 days. He bettered Rudra Pratap (RP) Singh’s record – at the age of 23 and 165 days in IPL 2009.
Malik attained the feat at 22 years and 176 days and has one more game left to extend his tally.
Malik earned his maiden call for the senior Indian team as he was named in the 18-member squad for India’s forthcoming five-match T20I series against South Africa. The first match will start on June 9 in at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
