Zaheer Khan
Zaheer Khan (Image Credit: Twitter)

Zaheer Khan, a former pacer, believed that Umran Malik should keep bowling as quickly as possible.

Malik made his ODI debut on Friday, November 25, and had a 10-0-66-2 performance against New Zealand at Auckland’s Eden Park. The speedster proved costly in the last five overs, but it was difficult to escape from him in the first five.

Umran Malik
Umran Malik. Pic Credits: Twitter.

Umran once had numbers of 5-0-19-2 after getting the critical dismissals of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell. The fastest bowling speed was recorded by the Jammu and Kashmir pacer, who regularly bowled at speeds of 153.1 kmph.

Umran Malik Of India. PC- Getty
Umran Malik Of India. PC- Getty

After taking two quick wickets, Umran provided India with a good opportunity to get back into the game. But an unbroken 221-run partnership between Kane Williamson and Tom Latham ensured that the Black Caps won by seven wickets with 17 balls remaining.

“He was great and he started very well”: Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan believes that one shouldn’t put too much stock in Umran’s runs, given that it was his first ODI for the Men in Blue.

“He was fantastic, and he got off to a wonderful start. The pace that everyone is talking about is his strength, and he backed it up. There is definitely some learning in the latter portion. But it’s still his first game, and it was about going out there, enjoying the moment, giving it all, and looking at the debut, he had a decent one,” Zaheer was cited on Prime Video as saying.

Umran Malik. PC- BCCI
Umran Malik. PC- BCCI

“You may ignore the runs he surrendered, but what matters for a bowler like him bowling at that pace is the wicket-taking purpose. Body language and wicket-taking intent were present. Fine-tuning is required, but he will learn as he goes. He should use his strength to bowl as fast as possible. He showed good control and should keep it up,” Zaheer Khan continued.

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The hosts New Zealand easily defeated the Indian side in the first match of the three-match ODI series, which wasn’t a fantastic start for their preparations for the 2023 World Cup.

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