Umran Malik will go a long way if India give him a chance: Vaas

While Umran Malik made his debut in the 2021 IPL, his rise to fame came in the 2022 season with his unreal consistency and raw pace, picking up 21 wickets. Several cricketers, current and former have liked the pacer, and even have suggested that the Jammu and Kashmir pace should be included in the T20 World Cup squad for India Down Under. 

Joining the list of cricketers is former Sri Lankan pacer Chaminda Vaas, who insisted that Umran will go a long way if India provide him with an opportunity. In the same breath, Vaas also opined that the speedster will form a potent bowling pair alongside Jasprit Bumrah, which will help India Down Under. 

“I think he (Umran) is getting better day by day and I saw him playing in the last IPL as well. He is bowling (with pace) consistently and accuracy is important when it comes to T20 cricket. And he will be a great bowler for India. He will be there with (Jasprit) Bumrah (as a bowling pair), I guess, if India gives him a chance. He will go a long way,” Vaas said, reported TOI. 

The former Sri Lankan pacer also credited the Indian cricketing system, stating that the good first-class structure has helped the country in producing a continuous pipeline of cricketers. 

“India has a good first-class structure and most of the first-class teams are producing lots of (good) cricketers and even Indian cricket has a plan going forward. This is why they are able to produce so many fast bowlers and good cricketers,” Vaas asserted.

From a Sri Lankan point of view, Vaas was assertive in crediting Dushmantha Chameera, who stepped up this year for the Lucknow Supergiants. Vaas stated that Chameera will be a future star in international cricket. 

“Dushmantha has come a long way. I was working with the national set-up for eight months and he has improved a lot. I am already pleased with his performance and he will be a future star,” he praised.

On the other hand, regarding Chennai Super Kings’ new talent, Matheesha Pathirana, Vaas stated that the slingster has a brilliant future but would have to take care of himself. 

“When I was the Under-19 coach (of Sri Lanka), he (Matheesha) came from that group. I’ve seen his potential. He is bowling like Malinga and he has a brilliant future. With his action, he might get injuries. He has to look after himself and Sri Lanka Cricket (also needs to) take care of him,” he stressed.