Former Pakistan cricketer Shoaib Akhtar warns Umran Malik to work on his fitness to avoid getting injured frequently.
Shoaib Akhtar Warns Umran Malik
IPL sensation Umran Malik fascinates everyone with his ability to bowl consistently around 150 kphs. The SRH pacer also bowled the fastest delivery (157 kmph) of IPL 2022 so far.
With such consistency, many cricket experts feel that he may be drafted into India’s T20I team in the coming few months.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar who threatened many quality cricketers with his bowling couldn’t able to have a long career owing to multiple injuries he faced during his period.
In 2018, Shoaib Akhtar warned Hardik Pandya about his lean body type and suggest to look after his fitness which Hardik neglected by saying that “he has been playing a lot of cricket”.
The incident dates back to September 2018 when India were playing Asia Cup in UAE. Notably, Hardik injured himself in the same match.
Now the ‘Rawalpindi Express’ throws his view on young Umran Malik and says, “I want to see him have a long career”.
“A few days ago, someone was congratulating me as it’s been 20 years since I bowled the fastest delivery but no one has been able to break the record.
But I said, ‘There must be someone who can smash this record’. I will be happy if Umran breaks my record. But needs to ensure that he doesn’t get injured in the process want to see him playing for a long stretch without any injuries.”
Shoaib says Umran should have the target of breaching the 100 mph barrier and will be happy if the Indian bowler manages to do that.
“I want to see him on the world stage as he belongs there. At present, there are not many people who can cross the 150 kph mark. We have seen that Umran has been bowling consistently at that pace.
I want Umran to have that 100 mph mark at the back of his mind. I will be happy if he enters the 100 mph club. But he has to stay away from injuries which can halt his career,” he said.
However, Shoaib cautioned that the Indian team management will have to be careful with how they manage the workload of the promising fast bowler, allowing him plenty of opportunities to rest and recover.
“BCCI and youth academy need to take care of Umran’s workload. He now has to train scientifically in an advanced way. His bowling needs to be measured. When you drive a car at high speed, there are chances of its tire blowing up or engine getting damaged.
It has to go back to the factory and recuperate. During the offseason, Umran has to make sure that he trains double his workload. That will reduce the pressure of his workload,” Shoaib said.
