IND vs SA Live Update: Irfan Pathan has said that he often advises Umran Malik to concentrate on enhancing his line and length without sacrificing his pace.
Based on his performance in the IPL 2022, Umran has been included in the 18-man team that will represent India in the next Twenty20 International series against South Africa. The fast bowler, who concluded the competition as the fourth-highest wicket-taker overall, achieved this position after claiming a total of 22 victims for the SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH).
IND vs SA Live Update: What did Pathan say about Umran Malik?
Pathan was questioned about the message that he has sent to Umran on the Star Sports program titled “Game Plan”. In response, he said:
“I constantly teach him that although it is important to pay attention to your line and length, you should not slow down at any point in the game. Everything else will fall into place in due time if he continues to bowl at a hard length while also making an effort to keep the ball near to the three stumps.”
The former Indian bowler also explained the procedure that all international-level cricket players, including Umran, need to go through to be successful. Pathan went on to say:
“After each game, whether it was during the IPL or will be in the future, I will give him some straightforward guidance, which is to think about the things that he did well and the areas in which he has to grow. This procedure must continue until he or anybody else will play cricket. Even though no one else has had a career quite like Sachin Tendulkar’s, we have also seen him follow this approach.”
Ravi Shastri recently shared his thoughts on the guidance he would provide to Umran as well. The former head coach of Team India has expressed his desire for the pacer to focus more on his line and has noted that the length of his deliveries is very close to being ideal.
Irfan Pathan had this to say about Umran Malik: “He still has a lot of stuff to improve on.”
Pathan also discussed some of the areas in which Umran may improve, elaborating as follows:
“Whether we are talking about bowling to the right-left combination or the slower one, he still has a lot of things to improve on. His seam continues to be straight. He speaks of having a tiny outswing, although he acknowledges that this will take some time.”
Umran’s mentor also discussed the conversations that the Jammu fast bowler has had with coaches and selectors from a variety of levels. Pathan said:
“If you go more into his history, you will see that he has not played much cricket at the first-class level. When the India-A coaches, those at a higher level, or the selectors approach me about Umran, the only thing I ever say is that they should support him when he is not doing well and push him when he is doing well. This is the only thing I have ever said about Umran.”
In the Twenty20 International series that India will play against South Africa, Umran Malik will be looking to get his first cap for Team India. If the Men in Blue’s express pacer has a good outing against the South Africans who are in town, there is a chance that he would be considered for a berth in the World Cup team that the Men in Blue will take to the tournament.
