Former Pakistani right arm fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar, who is also known as the Rawa-Pindi Express thanks to his cannon like fast deliveries during his playing days has offered help to India pacer Umran Malik. Just like Shoaib, Umran is also capable of bowling with extreme pace and has a nickname of Jammu Express.
For a fact Umran Malik since bursting onto the scene as a fast bowler has been regarded as the next big thing in India’s bowling department. His break out year was 2021 when Sunrisers Hyderabad promoted him from being a net bowler to one of the main pacers of the team.
He came under the highlight during IPL 2021 against Royal Challengers Bangalore where he bowled 5 back-to-back beamers, clicking 150+ each time. If he continues to work up on his pace as well as line-length the 23-year-old is expected to break Shoaib Akhtar’s record of the fastest ball and Shoaib himself has come forward to offer him help breaking the record.
It’s been exactly 20 years since Shoaib Akhtar bowled the fastest delivery in Cricket’s history against England at the World cup. Akhtar clicked 161.3 kmph and Shaun Tait has the 2nd fastest delivery – 161.1 kmph but it has been 8 years since a bowler clicked 160 kmph when Mitchell Starc faced New Zealand during the 2015 Cricket world cup.
Umran Malik is the only realistic bowler who can break this record if he trains right said Shoaib Akhtar. “He is very good. He is very strong and has a powerful run-up. He has nice arm speed. So Umran, bowl courageously and learn the art of bowling quickly. Learn the technical aspect.”
The 47-year-old former Pakistan International asked the Jammu-born pacer to keep his aggression in tact even when he is going for runs and never back off from bowling fast. “Never compromise with your aggression. Even when you are getting hit a lot, then also don’t reduce your aggression. Always bowl fast. When you go to the field, the ownership of the ground has to be yours. Don’t lose hope and train a lot. You are playing for a great country.”
