‘When you have best car in the world, and you leave it in garage’ - Brett Lee bats for Umran Malik’s inclusion in T20 WC squad

Former Australian pacer Brett Lee was one of the quickest bowlers the world has ever seen and he has always had a special place for youngsters who can bowl serious pace. Umran Malik is one of those who fits into Lee’s likings and the former has impressed a lot of experts with his pace. The 22-year-old is set to travel to Australia as a net bowler for the T20 World Cup 2022 once he gets his visa issues cleared.  

However, the real dilemma is about who can replace the mighty Jasprit Bumrah in the T20 World Cup squad 2022. While Deepak Chahar has picked up an injury again, Mohammed Shami has cleared his fitness tests and the experienced seamer is expected to be drafted from the reserves into the 15-man squad. Apart from these two bowlers, Mohammed Siraj has also made a big statement with a fantastic performance in the recent series against South Africa.  

Shami and Siraj remain the frontrunners for replacement of Bumrah however Lee has voted for the young pacer Malik to be given a go in Australia.  

Get Umran Malik to Australia where the ball flies through: Brett Lee 

Lee compared Malik to one of the best cars in the world in terms of speed and felt that the latter has been wasted in the garage. He further mentioned that Umran Malik should have been in the 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup and noted his abilities to hit the 150 Kmph consistently which will be of immense use in Australian conditions.  

"Umran Malik is bowling at 150 km per hour. I mean when you have the best car in the world, and you leave it in the garage, then what's the point of having that car? Umran Malik should have been picked in the Indian squad for the World Cup," Lee told Khaleej Times.

"Yes, he is young, yes, he is raw, but he bowls at 150 kmph, so get him in the team, get him to Australia where the ball flies through. It's different when you have a guy bowling at 140 kmph and a guy who is bowling at 150 kmph." 

Lee concluded that the loss of Bumrah is a huge setback to the team and felt that it will add the pressure on seamers like Bhuvneshwar Kumar in the upcoming T20 World Cup. 

"The fact is that Jasprit Bumrah suffered the back injury, it's huge blow to India's chances (at the World Cup). I am not saying they can't do it. They are a wonderful side, but a strong Indian side is the side that has Jasprit Bumrah. That would put pressure on guys like Bhuvneshwar Kumar," he added.