Umran Malik can play all three formats of the game: Brett Lee | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: India’s fast bowling sensation Umran Malik‘s ability to send stumps cartwheeling with consistent deliveries at and over 150kmph plus has made him a player the selectors turn to regularly for limited-overs assignments. He breathes fire on the field.
After he bowled a 155 kmph ripper against Sri Lanka in the first T20I earlier this year, the pressure of breaking Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar’s record has fallen on Umran. Akhtar holds the record of bowling the fastest delivery in world cricket. He bowled a 161kmph delivery to England opener Nick Knight during the 2003 World Cup in Cape Town in South Africa.
But there are many who feel that just raw pace is not enough. Most batters these days prepare in the nets to play deliveries in excess of 150 kmph with ease. Many experts feel Umran has to learn the many nuances of fast bowling, while continuing to hone his natural talent of bowling fast.

(AP Photo)
Former Australia star pacer Brett Lee says Umran is a ‘special talent’ and should be managed properly.
“Umran Malik is a wonderful bowler. He is a special talent. If his workload is taken care of properly, he will do wonders” Lee told TimesofIndia.com.
“I believe he (Umran) can play all three formats of the game. We must manage him correctly,” Lee further said.
Lee, who played 76 Tests, 221 ODIs, and 25 T20Is for Australia between 1999 and 2008, also talked about how best to handle a talent like Umran.

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
“The best way to manage him correctly is to allow him to bowl, give him as many games as possible, don’t rest him in every second game. Just don’t let him go into the gym more and lift heavy weights. He should do light muscle mass in the gym which is important for him. He should work on his sprinting and obviously his core strengthening,” Lee further told TimesofIndia.com.
WTC FINAL AND VIRAT’S CURRENT FORM
India qualified for the World Test Championship (WTC) Final to be held in June at The Oval. They will be facing Australia in the WTC Final. It will be India’s second straight appearance in the final. They had lost to New Zealand in the final for the 2019-21 cycle.
“I would love to see Australia go on and win the WTC title,” Lee said.
Lee also heaped praise on Virat Kohli and his incredible run with the bat. Virat notched up his 75th international ton recently – in the fourth and final Test against Australia.

He is currently second on the overall tally after batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar who is sitting on top of the heap with 100 international tons.
“It was great to see Virat scoring a century after 1200 (plus) days. One thing about legends and the guys who are on top of their games – it is very hard to keep them down. I congratulate Virat on this century. I know it took time for him to get (the next) Test hundred, but I congratulate him for sticking in there. It’s really great to see him back,” Lee signed off.