Legendary Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said India's decision to not consider Umran Malik for the T20 World Cup in Australian conditions did surprise him, saying he would have loved to see the Jammu and Kashmir fast bowler unleashed on pace-rich and bouncy pitches Down Under.
Brett Lee, speaking to News Channel, said Umran Malik's non-selection and Cameron Green's absence from the Australian squad for the T20 World Cup are two major surprising selection calls by teams in the lead-up to the premier ICC Twenty20 tournament, starting October 16.
Umran Malik made his international debut in June 2022 during India's tour of Ireland following a good showing in IPL 2022. The SunRisers Hyderabad pacer had picked up 22 wickets and showcased improved control, working under mentor Dale Steyn at SRH. However, Umran was expensive in the 3 matches he played, conceding 12.44 runs per over and picking up 2 wickets.
On the other hand, Cameron Green has been in sensational form with the bat in T20Is, having impressed with two half-centuries in the T20I series against India in India in September. Green has hit 134 runs in 5 T20Is after having made his debut earlier in 2022 at a staggering strike rate of over 180. Green even played the first of a 2-match T20I series against West Indies in Queensland on Wednesday, but he is not part of the T20 World Cup as Australia have a problem of plenty for the top-order slots.
"I would love to see Umran Malik unleashed in Australia, yes. So, to me the big surprises of his T20 World Cup - Umran Malik for India, I think he should play. Cameron Green has to play for Australia. I can't fathom how Cameron Green isn't in the team," Brett Lee said on the sidelines of the Legends League tournament.
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