Former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal said that Indian Cricket Team needs to include fast bowler Umran Malik in their playing 11 in order to stay strong on the pitch that favours batting.
Kamran Akmal Backs Umran Malik
Though Umran Malik made his debut with a couple of impressive performances he struggles to find a permanent spot in India’s playing 11.
Even in the ongoing 3-match ODI series against New Zealand, Umran Malik has been named in India’s ODI squad but failed to make it in India’s playing 11. Instead of including him in playing 11, India has decided to play Shardul Thakur along with Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami.
“This Indian bowling unit might struggle in conditions that are good for batting, especially against top teams. It is very important for India to accommodate Umran Malik in the playing XI,” Akmal said in a video posted on his YouTube channel.
“He is getting better and better and can surely prove to be a matchwinner. The bowling lineup will look very strong when Jasprit Bumrah returns,” he added.
Kamran Akmal also backed India to complete the whitewash against New Zealand in the ODI series.
“India should look to whitewash New Zealand. The team is very high on confidence and the players look in a good rhythm. The good thing about this Indian side is that they have won matches while both chasing and defending. We have seen in the past that they prefer to chase. However, they want to tick all the boxes ahead of the World Cup,” said Akmal.
Umran Malik so far played 7 ODIs and 6 T20Is and bagged 12 and 9 wickets respectively since his international debut in 2022.
India won the first 2 ODI matches and seals the victory while the third match of the series will be played on January 24 at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore.
