Young tearaway pace sensation Umran Malik proved why he’s been rated so highly once again by castling the stoic Bangladeshi top-order batter Najmul Hossain Shanto with a ripper in the 2nd ODI of the ongoing series.
After being on the bench for the 1st ODI, Malik was brought on in the 2nd ODI in the playing XI in place of pacer Kuldeep Sen, who had made his debut in the previous ODI but complained of back stiffness after the game and hence was rested for this must-win fixture.
The fiery booster let the Bangladeshis known of his searing pace and the improved lines and lengths in his first over, the 12th of Bangladesh’s innings, as he hit Shakib Al Hasan, Bangladesh’s most experienced batter, on the body 2-3 times, including a bouncer that smashed the left-hander on his helmet. Malik started off with a maiden wherein he peppered Shakib a number of times.
On the first ball of his second over then, Malik got his first wicket of the game in the form of another left-hander Najmul Hossain Shanto with an absolute beauty that sent Shani’s off-stump cartwheeling.
Malik hurled down a length delivery on off-stump that straightened after pitching. Shanto played for the incoming angle and was tentative with no feet movement. The ball went past the outside edge of Shanto’s bat pushing at the 151 KPH delivery and hit the off-stump, uprooting it altogether, and sending Malik in his celebratory fist-pumping run.
Video: Umran Malik’s jaffa uproots Shanto’s off-stump:
THAT’S RAW PACE FOR YOU. FUCKING 151 KMPH. Umran Malik you beauty. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/TW0X4hdagf
— ” (@Sobuujj) December 7, 2022
In the death overs then, Umran Malik returned for his last spell to dismiss senior Bangladeshi batter Mahmudullah, who had forged a big partnership of 148 runs with Mehidy Hasan. The pair was hurting India as the target kept on increasing for India and anything over 220 will be not an easy task on this pitch, especially with their opener and captain Rohit Sharma, who went off the field with a thumb injury.
Malik, though, found the outside edge of Mahmudullah’s bat and KL Rahul took a terrific one-handed catch. Mahmudullah was dismissed for 77.
