Young fast bowler Umran Malik has continued to get the backing of the selectors. Despite largely disappointing performances against New Zealand A that didn’t yield much for him – all of 2 wickets in 2 first-class and 2 List-A matches – Malik got the nod to be in the eleven of the Rest of India in the Irani Trophy match against Saurashtra at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot.
This time, though, Malik did well and helped ROI bowl Saurashtra out for 98 with a three-wicket haul.
The 22-year-old Srinagar pace sensation dismissed batter Arpit Vasavada and tailenders Jaydev Unadkat and Dharmendrasinh Jadeja in his three-for.
Video of Umran Malik’s yorker to Unadkat has gone viral
The Sunrisers Hyderabad once again got traction on social media with his brutal yorker to Unadkat that clattered the batsman’s off pole, sending fans on social media drooling over Malik’s high pace.
The ball came in from Umran Malik’s angle, which had Unadkat defending for his feet and stumps. However, the full ball shaped a hint away at the end on off-stump line. Unadkat played inside the line and was nowhere near the ball, which, after pitching almost a yard from Unadkat’s front foot, hit the base of the off-stump. Malik went away roaring in his celebration.
You can watch the video here:
Umran Malik’s pace can destroy any batter#UmranMalikpic.twitter.com/sd5j3fvpD5
— Cric (@Ld30972553) October 1, 2022
Bengal seamer Mukesh Kumar starred for ROI with the ball with his four-wicket haul that included wickets of four of Saurashtra’s top five. Another young pacer, Kuldeep Sen, returned with a three-wicket haul as ROI seamers made hay in the morning conditions in Rajkot.
In reply to Saurashtra’s 98, Rest Of India also got off to a poor start losing their top three of Abhimanyu Easwaran, Mayank Agarwal and Yash Dhull for only 18 runs on the board
The in-form Sarfaraz Khan joined captain Hanuma Vihari in the middle and both took the side to stumps further unscathed with a partnership of 187* runs. Out of this, Sarfaraz scored 125 himself in 126 balls with the help of 19 fours and 2 sixes, and Hanuma Vihari remained unbeaten on 62 as ROI’s lead crossed 100.
Speaking of Umran Malik, the SRH seamer had a terrific IPL 2022 season where he took 22 wickets – the most by an Indian seamer – and earned a call-up to the Indian team for the Ireland and England tour. He played 3 T20Is, and picked 2 wickets but was expensive.
