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 Irfan Pathan Slams Selectors For Umran Malik's Omission From SA Tour

image-lplelgmgUmran Malik in action against NZ in January 2023 (BCCI)

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) unveiled four different Indian squads for their forthcoming tour of South Africa. Apart from India’s all-format international tour, an India A team will also be participating in four-day fixtures in the rainbow nation.

Prominent names Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma opted themselves out of the white-ball leg of the tour, and will be seen helming team’s batting line-up in the two-match Test series in late December. The selection committee chose a number of emerging young talents for ODIs and T20I matches, in lieu of next year’s T20 World Cup 2024 slated to be hosted by West Indies.

Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan, meanwhile, has lamented the selector’s decision of ignoring speed gun Umran Malik from the entire tour. The cricketer-turned-commentator took to his social media account and stated that Malik should have been considered for at least India A fixtures in South Africa.

Pathan slams selectors for ignoring Umran Malik

Irfan Pathan has disapproved selector’s latest decision of ignoring Indian international Umran Malik from team’s forthcoming high-profile tour of South Africa. The former cricketer took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote that Malik deserved a call-up for India A fixtures at least, considering the young speedster was part of India’s international playing XI up until a few months ago. He said:

“I’m pretty sure the guy who was in the Indian team’s playing 11 few months back can surely find a place in India A side. #umranmalik”

Following a stellar IPL season for the SunRisers Hyderabad, Umran Malik was handed his maiden international cap through a T20I in Ireland in June 2022. Since his debut, the cricketer has featured in 10 ODIs and 13 T20I matches for India, however, he has not been considered for national selection since team’s ODI fixtures in West Indies back in July this year.