“Pace alone is not everything” – Mohammad Shami tells Umran Malik to work on the basics first

The veteran Indian pacer Mohammad Shami has come up with a piece of advice for the young sensation Umran Malik. Shami has asked Umran to work on the basics first instead of relying solely on the pace.

Mohammad Shami is arguably the best new-ball bowler in the world currently and he is having a decent season with the Gujarat Titans. The right-handed pacer has accounted for 16 wickets in 12 matches at a decent economy rate of 7.87.

Meanwhile, the young pacer of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Umran Malik, has been garnering all the limelight courtesy of his raw pace. He had a couple of brilliant games as the experts around the world started to ask the Indian selectors to pick him up for the Indian side. However, Umran Malik has had a couple of off games and he has been pretty expensive with the ball. It has been a reality check for the youngster as the pace is not everything for a bowler.

Meanwhile, Mohammad Shami has now asked the youngster to work on his lines and lengths first.

Umran Malik is a work in progress: Mohammad Shami

“Umran Malik has pace but personally, I am not a huge fan of pace. If you are bowling 140 and you move it both ways, you are doing it enough to trouble a batter. He has pace but he will take time to perfect himself as he will need to get accurate in line and length along with pace,” said Mohammad Shami.

Shami is currently eyeing a return to the Indian white-ball squad and looking to book a ticket to Australia for the T20 World Cup. On asked about his chances to get a chance in the T20Is, the Bengal-born pacer played it down saying he has always done well in the T20 format.

“I have done well whenever I have been given the white ball in my hand. If you are talking about this season then I don’t think so anyone has taken more wickets than me in the last 3 to 4 seasons. Whenever I have got the responsibility, I have given my 100 per cent,”

Mohammad Shami told a group of reporters on Friday.