Hardik Pandya, Umran Malik
Hardik Pandya, Umran Malik. (Photo: Twitter)

New Zealand National Cricket Team skipper Kane Williamson showered praise on the young India National Cricket Team express pacer Umran Malik and labelled him as a “super exciting talent” ahead of the limited-overs series between India and New Zealand.

The Jammu and Kashmir express pacer Umran Malik, who has the ability to bowl the deliveries consistently at over 150kmph, had a breakthrough season in IPL 2022.

Umran Malik (Image Credits: IPL)
Umran Malik (Image Credits: IPL)

He bagged 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.

After his impressive show with the ball in the Indian Premier League, the pacer got his India call-up. However, after a short 3-match run, he was dropped from the team as he failed to leave a mark at the international level.

The 22-year-old has received a re-call for the upcoming limited-overs series against New Zealand in the absence of several senior players. The India tour of New Zealand 2022 consists of a three-match ODI series and a three-match T20I series. The T20Is will be played on November 18, 20, and 22. The ODIs will be played on November 25, 27, and 30.

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There is high hopes that he will have an involvement with Indian cricket for a long time – Kane Williamson on Umran Malik

Kane Williamson-New Zealand
Photo Credit: (Getty Images)

Speaking at a media interaction organised by Prime Video ahead of India tour of New Zealand 2022, Williamson, who has spent time with Umran at Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, said that the young pacer is a real asset to the team.

“Umran is a super exciting talent. Spending time with him last year at the IPL and see his raw pace was a real asset to the team. To see him in the international scene now has been an amazing rise for him. And I think when you’ve got that ability to bowl 150 mark as a fast bowler, it’s very exciting,” Williamson said, as quoted by News18.

“I think by being in the squad, clearly there is high hopes that he will have an involvement with Indian cricket for a long time. Coming on on these tours where they’ve got the opportunity to play more and more, will certainly only help him on his journey. But Yeah, Fantastic talent,” he added.

Kane Williamson
Kane Williamson (Image Credits- Twitter)

Also Read: IND vs NZ: Trent Boult, Martin Guptill Dropped As New Zealand Announce Squads For Limited-overs Series vs India

 

Sonanchal Gautam is the Assistant Content Manager at Cricketaddictor. He is a professional Wrestling and Hip-hop enthusiast.