J&K’s talented middle-order batsman, Abdul Samad, who has the ability to bowl his leg breaks also, has being picked by Sunrisers Hyderabad for IPL-2020 in the prestigious auction held at Kolkata. The explosive swashbuckler, Samad got the Franchisee’ nod for his consistent performances in this season’s Syed Mushtaq Ali T20, Vijay Hazare Trophy and in the ongoing Ranji Trophy Tournament. He hit impressive 78 runs, studded with 10 fours and 3 sixes in the Ranji Trophy match against Maharashtra at Pune. Son of a Physical Education Master namely Mohd Farooq, who himself was an outstanding Volleyball player and a club cricketer, Samad has the distinction of producing splendid performances consistently in J&K’s big wins at the Under-19 and the Senior Level. In one of the matches this season against formidable Gujarat, Samad impressed all with his explosiveness by sending the bowlers like Piyush Chawla, Axar Patel and likes on a leather-hunt. The patronage of Irfan Pathan, mentor J&K Ranji Trophy Team and skipper Parvez Rasool served as a beacon light to guide and goad this gutsy young cricketer to achieve heights. Samad is the training of MA Stadium Coaching Centre, and trains under Sports Council’s Cricket Coach, Randhir Singh Manhas and his assistant Raman Thaploo. The entire cricket community of the State has sent congratulatory messages to this promising cricketer, who is a class act when on song.
