Umran Malik should have been picked for India’s T20 World Cup squad – Brett Lee

Former Australian gun fast bowler Brett Lee believes Indian selectors should have picked Umran Malik for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Malik has impressed one and all as he can bowl quick and had done a fine job for SunRisers Hyderabad in IPL 2022.

Malik scalped 22 wickets in 14 matches for the Orange Army but he was expensive in his bowling when he got a chance to play for the national team. The 22-year-old from Jammu and Kashmir had scalped two wickets in the three T20I matches he played for the national team but conceded his runs at a high economy rate of 12.44.

Malik had last played against England but didn’t get his opportunities in the following series against West Indies, Zimbabwe, and the Asia Cup. Thus, he still doesn’t have a lot of experience at the International level.

Lee feels what’s the point of having the fastest car in the world if you have to leave it in your garage.

“Umran Malik is bowling at 150 km per hour. I mean when you have the best car in the world, and you leave it in the garage, then what’s the point of having that car? Umran Malik should have been picked in the Indian squad for the World Cup,” Lee told Khaleej Times.

Lee went on to add that Malik’s extra speed would have been lethal in the Australian conditions, where the pitches are known for their bounce and pace.

“Yes, he is young, yes, he is raw, but he bowls at 150 kmph, so get him in the team, get him to Australia where the ball flies through. It’s different when you have a guy bowling at 140 kmph and a guy who is bowling at 150 kmph,” he added.

Meanwhile, India suffered a huge blow as Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out with a back injury. Lee feels Bumrah’s absence in the T20 World Cup will definitely hamper India’s chances of going all the way in the T20 World Cup.

“The fact is that Jasprit Bumrah suffered the back injury, it’s a huge blow to India’s chances (at the World Cup). I am not saying they can’t do it. They are a wonderful side, but a strong Indian side is a side that has Jasprit Bumrah. That would put pressure on guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar,” he added Lee.

India will begin their T20 World Cup campaign against Pakistan at the MCG on 23rd October.