Umran Malik wants to break this Pakistan bowler's record

Umran Malik made all the headlines in this year’s Indian T20 League as he shattered opponents with his sheer pace. In 15 matches for Hyderabad, he picked up 22 wickets at an economy of 9.03. He also picked up a five-wicket haul against the eventual winners of the tournament, i.e. the Gujarat franchise. In that match, he conceded only 25 runs in his four overs at an economy of 6.25. 

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His form was crucial for that franchise as they enjoyed a five-match winning streak during the mid-phase of the tournament. His stellar performance throughout the tournament earned him a maiden call to the Team India for the upcoming T20I home series against South Africa, starting on 9 June 2022. He is tipped to get a chance into the playing XI also during this series.

“I hope I will break the record of Shoaib Akhtar” - Umran Malik

Speaking to News 24 Sports, Umran malik said that he hopes to break the record of the Pakistan great Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest ball in world cricket. In this year’s tournament, Umran Malik bowled the second-fastest ball at 157 kmph in an Indian T20 League game against Delhi on May 5, 2022. However, New Zealand’s Lockie Ferguson bowled the fastest one at 157.3 kmph against Rajasthan. Johns, a cricket fan from India, shared a tweet of Malik's statement on his official account regarding this.

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Here is the tweet from his official account:

Umran Malik (in News 24 Sports) said "I hope I will break the record of Shoaib Akhtar's fastest ball in world cricket".

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 4, 2022

For now, Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for bowling the fastest ball (161.3 kmph) in the history of cricket. He did the same in a game against England during the 2003 World Cup. As for Umran Malik, the young boy from Jammu and Kashmir impressed everyone with his improved pace in every match as the tournament went past. The bowling coach of Hyderabad, Dale Steyn, also heaped high praises on him with the hope for him to play for Team India in the coming days.

Speaking about his performance in the domestic circuit, he represented his state in three matches where he picked up seven wickets in five innings.