Indian pacer comments on breaking Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest delivery record

Indian fast bowler Umran Malik has finally broken his silence on breaking Shoaib Akhtar’s fastest delivery record. 

In an interview to News 24 on Thursday, the 23-year-old said that despite being compared to Akhtar all the time, he doesn’t think about breaking his record. 

“I’m only thinking about performing well for the country,” he said. “If I do well and if I’m lucky, I’ll break that, but I don’t think about it at all.” 

Malik, the newest pace sensation for team India, clocks 150 kph on a regular basis. He was the talk of the town during last season of Indian Premier League and the highest wicket-taker for his team Sunrisers Hyderabad. 

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“You don’t get to realize how fast you’ve bowled during the match,” Malik said. “It’s only when we come back after the game we realize our pace.” 

Akhtar holds the record for the fastest delivery bowled in international cricket (161kph) against New Zealand in 2002. Last year, the Rawalpindi Express said he will be happy if the Indian pacer ends up breaking his record. "I want to see him have a long career,” Akhtar had said. 

“A few days ago, someone was congratulating me as it's been 20 years since I bowled the fastest delivery, but no one has been able to break the record. 

"But I said, 'There must be someone who can smash this record'. I will be happy if Umran breaks my record. But he needs to ensure that he doesn't get injured in the process. I want to see him playing for a long stretch without any injuries."