Pace sensation Umar Malik emerged as the fastest bowler India has ever produced in the last two seasons of IPL. Umran Malik’s sheer pace helped him to be the standout player in IPL 2022. The 22-year-old pacer was crossing 150kmph regularly in all the matches and held the record for the fastest delivery in the tournament, a 157kph scorcher until Lockie Ferguson (157.3kph) surpassed him in the final. Umran got his maiden call up for Team India for the T20 series against South Africa at home starting from June 9.

With Umran consistently bowling around 150 kph, cricket fans are curious if he could break Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest delivery record of 161 kph. Opening up on that, Umran admitted that his focus is not on Akhtar’s record right now. He wants to bowl well, bowl in the right areas, and help his country win all five matches against the Proteas.

Umran wants to bowl consistently above 150kmph and maintain his body and strength while doing so. Umran, further stated that his only focus is on helping India beat South Africa in the upcoming five-match T20I series. If Umran can focus and get his lines right where he attacks the stumps more, then he can be a lethal bowler, against the Proteas.

Umran credited his state team-mate, Abdul Samad, for the pace he got in his bowling. Umran and Samad both are from Jammu & Kashmir and have been practicing together since childhood. Umran lauded Samad for motivating him a lot.