Umran Malik's pace has been a talking point in this year's Indian Premier League (IPL 2022). The pacer from Kashmir has impressed the likes of Dale Steyn and Ian Bishop by bowling 150+ kmph on a regular basis.
In the first four matches, Malik's best weapon — speed — was used against him as his economy rate was always in excess of 9.7 rpo. The tide turned on Friday as Umran Malik gave away just 27 runs in his four overs and picked two key wickets including that of Shreyas Iyer in the 10th over.
Credit should also be given to the SRH team management and captain who used Malik's pace to good effect. The 22-year-old fast bowler was given the 7th, 10th, 13th, and 16th over of the match, using him in intervals.
What amused the fans was the field placement used for Umran while Shreyas Iyer was batting in the 10th over. All the fielders outside the 30-yard circle were behind square, i.e, effectively behind the batsman's stumps. Malik was bowling with a fuming pace at 148 kmph + in the 10th over when Nitish Rana and KKR skipper Shreyas Iyer were at the crease. After bowling five good or short-length deliveries, Umran bowled the sixth one at yorker length right in front of the middle and off stump.
Shreyas Iyer was clean-bowled on that ball! Take a look at the field placed before the ball.
Tweets poured in from fans after the dismissal of Shreyas Iyer:
Umran Malik, T Natarajan, and Marco Jansen were the pick of the bowlers at the beginning of the KKR innings.
In the second half of the KKR innings, Nitish Rana and Andre Russell helped Kolkata reach 175 in their 20 overs. Natarajan picked three wickets while Umran Malik took two wickets.
Sunrisers made a strong comeback by registering a hat-trick of wins. They defeat Kolkata by 7 wickets with 2.1 overs still to be bowled, while chasing a score of 176.