Umran Malik is more suited for ODIs than T20Is, doesn’t have many variations: Wasim Jaffer

Former batter Wasim Jaffer reckoned that fast bowler Umran Malik is more suited to the One-Day format than T20s. On Friday, November 25, Umran made his ODI debut against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland and finished with expensive figures of 10-0-66-2.

Although the speedster bowled well in his first spell, picking up the wickets of Devon Conway and Daryl Mitchell, he was expensive in the second. Kane Williamson and Tom Latham took the attack to the Indian bowlers as the Black Caps chased down 307 with 17 balls to spare.

Jaffer said that Umran doesn’t have a whole lot of variations because of which he may not taste a whole lot of success in the shorter format.

“As the game gets bigger, you got to have a lot more skills and that’s something they will learn. The One Day format suits Umran Malik more than T20s. We have seen in the IPL that he doesn’t have many variations compared to bowling in this format when he needs to hit the right line and lengths and use the short ball well,” Jaffer was quoted as saying to ESPNcricinfo.

Jaffer also said that Arshdeep Singh, who made his debut along with Umran, will make a comeback after leaking 68 runs in 8.1 overs against the Kiwis.

“Arshdeep will get used to it as he is a quality bowler. He will adapt to things very quickly,” he added.

Moreover, Jaffer was of the opinion that the pitch got a little better for the batters when New Zealand started their run-chase.

“In the second half, the wicket got a little better. In the first half, the pitch was a little sticky and the ball wasn’t coming on to the bat as we saw in the second half. But I thought those two guys batted well and it wasn’t easy for the bowlers,” Jaffer said.

Williamson and Latham’s unbeaten 221-run stand helped the home team secure a seven-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the series.