Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) pacer Umran Malik has literally caught the 2022 Indian Premier League (IPL) season by storm. The 22-year-old has regularly clocked 150+ kmph all season, and his pacey bowling has caught many by surprise. Most recently he picked up a five-wicket haul against Gujarat Titans (GT) albeit in a losing cause.
In a recent exclusive interview with Sports Tak, his father Abdul Rashid was ecstatic about his son's rise in the IPL and expects him to don the India jersey and make the country proud, "I am very thankful to the country for the love they have given my son. He is playing very well. I am very happy that he is getting to play with big players. I hope that he plays even better and manages the game well. I hope that he soon plays for India too and make the country proud.
"He called me a few days back and told me that he wants to play for the country. If he is able to manage (the game) then he will move forward. He has the talent. He is a natural bowler," Umran's father added.
Umran's father has a small fruits and vegetable shop back in their home state of Jammu and Kashmir. When asked whether he would be willing to accept his son's money and retire, Rashid is happier at the respect he is getting and believes that is bigger than any amount of money that his son can give him.
"Respect is more important than money. Small kids come to my shop and say 'this is Umran Malik's father'. There is nothing more that can make a parent proud. I pray for his son and his good health. He will get what is written in the stars for him. It is my hard work that has pushed him to such a high place. I hope he puts in the effort and does well. When we watched his match two days back, people brought posters of Umran, saying that we came to watch Umran and not the match," a proud father explained.
