Umran Malik is not as trained and fit as Haris Rauf: Aaqib Javed

Former Pakistani cricketer and current coach Aaqib Javed has given a very bold judgment regarding young India fast bowler Umran Malik, comparing him with his Pakistan counterpart Haris Rauf.

Malik and Rauf both have been on multiple occassions been compared with each other, primarily for two reasons: both can clock 150+ kmph consistently and most importantly, who will win the race to breaking Shoaib Akhtar's all-time world record for the fastest ever ODI delivery?

For the unversed, Pakistan legend Shoaib Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery in the world. During the Cricket World Cup of 2003, Akhtar delivered a ball at the lightning speed of 161.3 km per hour (100.2 miles per hour).

'He drops to 138 kmph very soon' - Aaqib Javed doesn't find Umran Malik very consistent

"Umran Malik is not as trained and fit as Haris Rauf. If you look at him in ODIs, in his first spell he bowls around 150 kmph but by the 7th or 8th over the speed drops to 138 kmph," the 50-year-old was heard saying in a video shared by Events and Happenings Sports.

Javed was asked to weigh in on Umran vs Haris debate and he responded saying that it is similar to comparing Kohli with the rest of the batters in the world, referring to the star India batter to the Pakistan pacer in this context.

"If you look at him (Umran Malik) in ODIs, in his first spell he bowls around 150 kmph but by the 7th or 8th over the speed drops to 138 kmph. The difference is the same as it is between Kohli and the rest of the batters," the former pacer further added.

Javed further praising Rauf stated that the major reason which set Rauf from his Pakistani teammates apart was the strict diet plan the pace bowler maintains. None of his colleagues are as disciplined as him and the amount of practice that Rauf puts into his sessions, he is definitely more skilled than Umran Malik, reckoned the Pakistan coach.

"He (Haris) is very disciplined with his diet, training and his lifestyle. I have not seen a single Pakistan bowler who has a diet like Haris. No one has a clear lifestyle like him. Bowling 160 kmph is not a big deal for me, but bowling at the same speed throughout the match is very crucial," Javed concluded.

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