Umran Malik Knows That He's One Step Closer To What He Wants To Achieve – Zaheer Khan

Former India pacer Zaheer Khan has shared his views on Indian express pacer Umran Malik not being given game time in the recently concluded five-match T20I series against South Africa National Cricket Team.

Umran Malik picked 22 wickets in 14 games in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at an average of 20.18, an economy of 9.03 and a strike rate of 13.40, including a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul.

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After a brilliant run in the cash-rich league, Umran got his India call-up for the South Africa T20I series but he didn’t get the opportunity to play any of the games.

Meanwhile, former India pacer Zaheer, during an interaction with Cricbuzz, said that being in the national team is a huge plus for players whether they get game time or not because the players have the opportunity to learn from the seniors. He elaborated:

“When you’re on tours, you usually have these get togethers, you go there, you have conversations with bowlers, get to meet the opposition bowlers as well.

“I remember having Jason Gillespie and McGrath for that matter, Wasim Akram. All these guys you had conversation and you end up talking about bowling, what they used to do. How they used to approach the game.

“So those conversation go long way, it’s not about the formal way of learning, but it’s about learning through experience. So from that point of view it’s always a help and if you are with the squad so from the motivation point of view it is a huge plus.” 

He’s just a step closer now – Zaheer Khan on Umran Malik

Former India pacer further said that the express pacer Umran Malik, after the series against South Africa, is one step closer to his ultimate dream, which is to play for India.

“For someone like Umran, he knows that he’s one step closer from what he wants to achieve. So that makes a huge difference. 

“If someone gets injured, you can get an opportunity. The series is going tough and management is looking at some other ways of staying ahead of tactics, you have a chance.

“So when you’re with the team, it’s always a big plus in terms of getting the motivation. So I think for someone like Umran this tournament has been of great help, knowing that he’s just a step closer now,” he added.

Meanwhile, amongst Indians as well as pacers Umran was the second-highest wicket-taker in the 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and overall he finished at the 4th spot on the list of leading wicket-takers. Also, the Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Umran Malik won the Emerging player of the season award.

Also Read: Hardik Pandya-Led Indian Side Selected For Ireland Series, Could Play England T20Is Too – Reports

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