Shoaib Akhtar responds to Umran Malik’s remark of breaking his fastest delivery record

On Tuesday, January 3, in the first T20I against Sri Lanka, Indian speedster Umran Malik bowled a 155 kmph thunderbolt to dismiss Sri Lankan skipper Dasun Shanaka. The right-arm pacer broke the record of the fastest delivery by an Indian bowler, which was earlier held by Jasprit Bumrah.

Bumrah, during the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar series against Australia, had bowled a 153.2 kmph delivery at the Adelaide Oval.

Umran, in the game against the Islanders, took two wickets and went on to end the game with an impressive figure of 2/27 in 4 overs. The young seamer has been facing a question by many that if he can break the record of Shoaib Akhtar’s 161 kmph delivery, which the latter bowled against England during the 2003 World Cup.

Responding to the question, Umran said that currently his focus is to only perform well for his country.

“Right now, I’m only thinking about performing well for the country. If I do well, and if I’m lucky, I’ll break that. But I don’t think about it at all,” said Umran in an interview with News24 ahead of the first T20I.

Now reacting to Umran’s comment, the Rawalpindi Express has made a remark, stating he’d be happy if Umran breaks his record but also hoped that the Jammu and Kashmir pacer, in the process, doesn’t break his bones.

“I’ll be happy if he (Umran) breaks my record. But in the process of breaking it, I hope he doesn’t break his bones. What I mean is that he stays fit.” said Akhtar while talking to Sportskeeda.

Umran, during an IPL game against Delhi Capitals (DC) last year, bowled a 157 kmph rocket delivery.

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January 05, 2023 at 04:12PM