'We felt great..' - Umran Malik's father's shocking stance on his non-selection in 20-20 World Cup 2022 squad

Umran Malik: (Image Source: Twitter)

Umran Malik has impressed everyone with his pace ever since he made his debut in the Indian T20 League 2021. The speedster finished as the fourth-highest wicket-taker of the 2022 edition, picking 22 wickets in 14 games at an average of 20.18. Seeing his meteoric rise, fans began asking for the inclusion of the express fast bowler into the Indian squad for the 20-20 World Cup. However, the fast bowler couldn’t find a place due to a lack of experience at the international level.

Many former Indian cricketers like Harbhajan Singh and Dilip Vengsarkar expressed their disappointment on the decision by the Indian Cricket Board to not select the 23-year-old for the World Cup. However, much to everyone's surprise, Abdul Rashid, Umran’s father believes that it’s great that the team management didn’t rush him as he is still in the learning phase.

“People were saying that he couldn’t get selected for the World Cup. We think it is great that he didn’t make it. Things happen when they are meant to. You don’t need to rush behind anything. The kid is in the learning phase. He shares the dressing room with the experienced ones. He’ll go there and learn from them. You need not hurry,” said Rashid after India’s seven-wicket loss to New Zealand in the first ODI.

The Jammu and Kashmir-born fast bowler recently made his ODI debut against New Zealand in the first ODI on Thursday. Malik grabbed the opportunity with both hands and picked up two crucial wickets with the new ball dismissing Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell with sheer pace. He ended up picking two wickets and gave away 66 runs in his ten overs. Abdul, who was glued to the TV screen in Jammu during the game seemed mighty pleased with his son’s performance.

Our kid is playing for the country : Abdul Rashid

“It was important for him (Umran Malik) to play the ODIs and he made a decent debut. The almighty backed him so did the entire nation. People were talking about getting Umran and Sanju Samson in the team. It happened today and we felt great,” he added.

“Our kid is playing for the country. What else could we ask for? The entire world is watching him. It was his debut and we are happy for him. India should’ve won the game but no worries, we will win the next one,” he concluded.