Srinagar
Jammu and Kashmir’s all-rounder Abdul Samad is all set to make his presence known in the biggest domestic T20 league of the world — Indian Premier League — after being bought by the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the auction.
Abdul was bought by the SRH in the players’ auction on Thursday for a price of INR 20 lakh. With this, he became the first player from Jammu & Kashmir to feature in the IPL 2020.
Abdul’s father Mohammad Farooq was ecstatic on the selection of his child in the IPL and said that it is a commendable feat that his son has made it to such a big level.
“I am so happy. I always hoped that my child reaches this level. He has reached there. I am happy that he has been given a chance to play the IPL. I have played club matches myself. I was a bowling all-rounder. I always wanted my children to play cricket,” Farooq told ANI.
“IPL is a very big level, initially there were three people from Jammu and Kashmir in the IPL. Reaching this level is a very big thing. If Abdul has reached this place, many children will get inspired. Infrastructure is getting developed here. Our budding cricketers here are very talented,” he added.
Abdul’s father also revealed that his son was attracted towards cricket from childhood and his efforts have finally paid off.
“I constantly used to give them cricket equipment. He used to play in the park during his childhood. He has done a lot of hard work and his effort has finally paid off. He was also fond of singing in his childhood,” said Farooq.
Abdul’s mother Farzana Kousar said that the family was hooked on to television when the auction was going on and she also expressed her desire to see her child play for India.
“I am very proud. We were watching on TV when his name popped up in the auction. He has done a lot of hard work. It was his aim to reach this level. His father has supported him a lot. I also used to go everywhere with him. I hope he plays for India one day,” said Kousar.
Indian Premier League (IPL) players’ auction was conducted on Thursday, and a total of 62 players were bought by eight teams combined, reported ANI.
Meanwhile, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Farooq Khan has congratulated J&K’s cricket all-rounder, Abdul Samad, for his selection for the forthcoming Indian Premier League (IPL).
Advisor Khan, who heads Youth Services and Sports department, in a message to Samad said: “I am very happy to know that you have been selected to play for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) team in the forthcoming IPL season along the likes of Kane Williamson, David Warner, Rashid Khan, Manish Pandey, Johnny Bairstow and Vijay Shankar. Your selection to play in world’s premier Cricket league is a moment of joy and pride for all of us. I pray for your success in the tournament and hope that your hard work yield fruitful results.”
The Advisor also complimented Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Chief Executive Officer, Aashiq Hussain Bukhari; Coach Irfaan Pathaan; JKCA’s representative in Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Ranjeet Kalra; Captain Parveez Rasool, Abdul Samad’s MA Stadium coach Randheer Singh and Assistant coach, Raman Thaploo and the entire JKCA fraternity on Samad’s selection in IPL.
Earlier, it was Parvaz Rasool who become the first cricketer from J&K to play for IPL.
