Team India's young pace sensation Umran Malik has become a cynosure of all eyes as his blistering speed not just keeps opposition batters on their heels but also prompts fans to be on the edge of their seats. While cricket fans around the world are busy marveling Umran's prodigious talent, former Pakistan pacer Aqib Javed took a subtle dig at the Indian pacer. The ex-Pakistan speedster compared Umran to the Men in Green's pacer Haris Rauf and said that the latter is significantly better than the former.
"Umran Malik is not as trained and fit as Haris Rauf. If you look at him in ODIs, in his first spell he bowls around 150 kmph but by the 7th or 8th over the speed drops to 138 kmph," Aqib told Events & Happenings Sports.
"Bowling 160 kmph is not a big deal for me, but bowling at the same speed throughout the match is very crucial," he added.
Furthermore, Aqib cited example of maverick batter Virat Kohli, who is miles ahead of all other willow-wielders in the world.
"The difference is the same as it is between Kohli and the rest of the batters," the former Pakistan bowler continued.
"He (Haris) is very disciplined with his diet, training and his lifestyle. I have not seen a single Pakistan bowler who has a diet like Haris. No one has a clear lifestyle like him," he said.
India is currently locked in a white-ball series against New Zealand and Umran is yet to get a game time. With the series are secured, India might include the right-arm express pacer in the playing XI for the third and final ODI, scheduled to take on January 24 (Tuesday) at Holkar Stadium in Indore.
