IND vs PAK: Umran Malik Is Quick, I Will Have Him In The Squad - Former Pakistan Fast Bower Wasim Akram

Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out of the tournament due to injury before the ICC T20 World Cup 2022, and it was a big blow for Team India. Team Indian management is yet to announce his replacement for the mega tournament.

Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Deepak Chahar were discussed as replacements for Bumrah. However, Chahar is currently sidelined due to injury and has been replaced by Shardul Thakur in the reserve team. Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, and Shardul Thakur left for Australia on Thursday.

Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram wants Indian pace sensation, Umran Malik, in the team as Bumrah’s replacement. Umran made his debut against Ireland in June and has played just three T20Is for India.

“You see that guy? Umran Malik… he is quick. India took him to Ireland and he got hammered.

“It happens in T20, but you got to stick with him. If I were in think tank, then I will have him in the squad all the time. The more he plays, the better he will become. Experience in Twenty20 matters a lot,” Akram told reporters.

Twenty20 Format Isn’t For Bowlers – Wasim Akram

The doors are slowly closing on Umran’s World Cup dreams. He was picked as one of the net bowlers along with Kuldeep Sen to travel to Australia, but the 22-year-old ran into some visa issues.

Umran does have pace in his bowling, but the youngster has to be very disciplined with his line and length before giving him a long run with the Indian team. Akram feels bowlers should be prepared to get hit, especially in T20Is, and that Umran’s case is no different.

“Unfortunately, Twenty20 format is not for bowlers. The format is the need of the hour, it is entertaining and it’s picked up worldwide. Bowlers should understand that they will be hammered once in a while, which they do now,” Akram added.

“Flat decks become one-dimensional. The pitches in Dubai offered a bit for the bowlers and once it is set then the next day it is better for batters. That should be the future of the format.”

India will take on arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening encounter of the ICC T20 World Cup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne, on Sunday, October 23. The Rohit Sharma-led team will be hoping for revenge against the Babar Azam-led team for the humiliating loss in last year’s T20 World Cup in the UAE.

Also Read: IND vs PAK: He’s Got All The Boxes Ticked To Take Up This Post – Former Indian Coach Ravi Shastri On Roger Binny Likely To Become BCCI President