XtraTime Web Desk: It was an emotional moment for Abdul Samad when he received the cap from Sunrisers Hyderabad assistant coach Brad Haddin ahead of the IPL 2020 match against table toppers Delhi Capitals. The 18 year old became the third cricketer from the valley to play in the cash rich league on Tuesday, after Rasikh Salam and Parvez Rasool. While Salam played a game for Mumbai Indians, Rasool was a regular in the Pune Warriors India franchise. Samad replaced Bengal wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha.
Hailing from Rajouri, Samad came to notice for his ability to hit the ball hard. He had an outstanding last season in domestic cricket amassing almost 600 runs including three centuries. Most importantly, he hit 36 sixes, the most by anyone in the season. His dominant form helped Jammu & Kashmir make it to the quarter finals of the Ranji Trophy last season.
With a T20 batting average of 40 and he can be handy with his leg-spin as well. The teenager first caught the eyes of former India cricketer Irfan Pathan during a camp organised for the state Ranji Trophy team. Pathan saw how this youngster was playing way better than other experienced players. Samad made his Twenty20 debut for Jammu & Kashmir in the 2018–19 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in February 2019 and that was followed by his List A and First-Class debut in the same year.
Here’s hoping that the youngster makes a memorable IPL debut that could inspire the young kids to take up cricket as a sport.