"Speed can’t help you"- Shaheen Afridi's strange response when asked about Umran Malik's speed

Umran Malik has emerged as one of the fastest bowlers in the history of the Indian Premier League. The SRH pacer has certainly impressed everyone with his sheer pace and accuracy. He has been in phenomenal form in the recently concluded edition of the IPL and ended the season as the fourth highest wicket-taker.

Umran also bowled the fastest delivery in the IPL at 157 km/h, which was the record till the very last game, but Lockie Ferguson bowled a ball at 157.3 km/h in the finals to break it. However, the 22-year-old picked up 22 matches in 14 games, including a five-wicket haul.

His outstanding performance has earned him his maiden call for the Indian team and he is a part of the squad that will play a five-match T20I series against South Africa starting on June 9. After his brilliant performance, he might get a few games as well.

On the other hand, we have seen many speedsters from our neighbouring country, Pakistan. Shaheen Shah Afridi is their current ace pacer. He is performing really well across the format and also won the "Sir Garfield Sobers award for the men's cricketer of the year in 2021."

However, he came up with an unusual reply when he was asked about the speeds of Umran Malik and Lockie Ferguson in the IPL. In a press interaction ahead of the three-match ODI series against West Indies, the 22-year-old said, "Speed can’t help you if you don’t have line and length and swing."

Shaheen was one of the reasons for Pakistan's historic win in the ODI series against Australia a couple of months ago. He is hopeful of replicating the same performance against the West Indies in the upcoming ODI series. Notably, both teams were supposed to play this series last December, but due to the outbreak of COVID-19, it got postponed.

Pakistan needs to win this series in order to qualify for the ODI World Cup. Shaheen further said that this is an important series and they don't want to lose it. The West Indies are also very tough, so it will be an exciting contest.