Umran Malik Concedes 36 Runs in Single Over

Indian fast bowler Umran Malik, who has represented the country in 10 One Day Internationals and 8 T20 Internationals, has once again grabbed headlines—but this time for all the wrong reasons. The Jammu and Kashmir-born pacer, known for his blistering pace in the IPL, conceded a staggering 36 runs in a single over during the DY Patil T20 Cup, raising eyebrows among cricket fans and analysts alike.

On Thursday, Malik was bowling for Tata Sports Club against Mumbai Customs in a high-scoring encounter in Mumbai. Batting first, Tata Sports posted a competitive 193 runs, setting the stage for what was expected to be a challenging chase. Malik came on to bowl in the second over of the innings and immediately leaked 23 runs, including three sixes and a four off Rigved More’s batting.

Given the heavy runs conceded early, captain Shardul Thakur initially chose not to bowl Malik in the following over. However, he returned to the attack in the 13th over under high-pressure conditions. By that stage, Mumbai Customs’ openers, Rigved More and Sachin Yadav, had already added 128 runs for the first wicket. The required target was 65 runs in the remaining 8 overs, and Malik’s return proved disastrous.

In his infamous 13th over, Malik’s deliveries went for multiple sixes and fours, including free-hit boundaries. Several deliveries were declared ‘no balls’ or wides, further compounding the damage. The over went down as one of the most expensive in T20 cricket history, with Malik ending his spell with figures of 2 overs, 0 wickets, 59 runs conceded. Following this over, Mumbai Customs required just 29 runs off 42 balls, which they comfortably achieved within the next 18 deliveries.

At just 26 years old, Malik has already made a name for himself as one of India’s fastest bowlers. However, this performance highlights the challenges even elite pacers face in T20 cricket, where pressure situations can result in highly expensive overs. Analysts have pointed out that while Malik’s speed is a lethal weapon, consistency and control remain areas for development, especially in limited-overs formats.

This match serves as a stark reminder of the volatility of T20 cricket, where a single over can dramatically alter the course of a game. For Umran Malik, it is both a learning opportunity and a test of his mental fortitude in high-pressure situations.