Umran Malik gets competition from this Pakistan 21-year-old pace sensation who had challenge him once

India have historically lacked a tearaway fast bowler. The likes of Munaf Patel, Ishant Sharma, Ashish Nehra and Jasprit Bumrah started off their career by frequently bowling in excess of 150 kmph but slowed down with time.

However, the rise of Umran Malik has once again put India in the list of countries who can boast of having a bowler who can make batters tremble with their pace. Umran already holds the record for the fastest delivery bowled by an Indian bowler.

In a T20I match against Sri Lanka this year, Malik clocked in 155 kmph on the speed radar to break Jasprit Bumrah’s record of 153.36 kmph. In the following ODI series he touched the 156 kmph mark. However, the 23-year-old’s fastest delivery came in the IPL 2023, when he touched 157kmph in a match against Mumbai Indians.

‘Game of speed’: Umran Malik gets competition from Pakistan’s Zaman Khan

The Jammu and Kashmir pacer is set to face a stiff rivalry from Pakistan 21-year-old pacer Zaman Khan who is currently setting the T20 Blast 2023 on fire. Playing for Derbyshire, The Mirpur-born pacer has picked 25 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 16.55. The tally is the second-highest in the season so far.

Zaman Khan regularly bowls between 140-145 kmph. His fastest ball reportedly stands at 150 kmph. Zaman had vowed to break Umran Malik’s fastest ball record ahead of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023.

“I will break the record of Umran Malik’s fastest ball in the Pakistan this Pakistan Super League edition, inshallah ,” the pacer had said before adding that performance matters more to him.

The two young cricketers have the gift and a rivalry between them is slowly brewing. Also considering the intense rivalry between the

Indian and Pakistan cricket team, the fans would be eagerly waiting for a mouth-watering face-off between them in the future.

Zaman made his debut this year and has picked four wickets in six T20I matches. Umran made his debut in June 2022. Since then, he has played eight ODI and T20I matches each to pick 13 and 11 wickets respectively.