Srinagar: The dashing and one of the most talented youngster that J&K Cricket has produced in recent times, Abdul Samad produced a one man show to guide J&K to a thrilling two wicket win in a low scoring Ranji Trophy match vs host Odisha at Cuttack on Monday.
In the match that saw batters struggling from the both the sides, Abdu Samad played a sensational match winning knock in fourth inning to guide his home.
Batting first, Odisha got all out for 130 run total in first inning with J&K pacer Rohit Sharma taking five wicket haul. It was dream spell for lanky pacer who gave only 12 runs in his 13 overs and bowled eight maidens.
In reply J&K scored 180 in its first inning with a vital knock by Abid Mushtaq 50 from 51 handing J&K a vital lead.
In second inning, Odisha got all out for 198 runs. Aquib Nabi took four wickets while as Umar Nazir three.
J&K scored 149/8 in its second inning to clinch a two wicket wicket. Abdul Samad remained unbeaten on 66 from 83 in which he hit seven fours and two sixes. Aquib Nabi contributed with 28.
It is first win of the Ranji season for J&K and the win will be extra special for Abdul Samad who had been struggling lately. After the below par IPL 2023, Samad had below par T20 outing for J&K in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
He has been facing lot of heat from critics for not playing match winning knocks for J&K and the extra pressure applied by certain detractors within J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) setup would have been draining him mentally.
The young hard hitting batter has brilliant first class record. Abdul Samad so far has played 19 First Class matches, scoring 1014 runs with the average of 40.56. He has scored 3 centuries and six half centuries and has a strike rate of 102. For a hard hitting batter like Samad, that is some record and stats and on Monday he just once again proved why he is reckoned highly.
While every other batter struggled on the wicket, Samad coming on to bat at No,6 position played his natural attacking inning that helped J&K to clinch a victory.
With this match winning knock, Samad would be greatly relieved person tonight as he has answered his critics and JKCA ‘Detractors’ in style.
A former star J&K Players termed Samad a great talent who needs all kind of support from within JKCA setup and team.
“Lately it has been observed that a certain person in JKCA hasn’t been treating Samad and other senior players in team well. Almost all the players are depressed and that has been showing in performances as well. However, today fighting against all the odds, Samad once again showed why everyone talks highly of him. You need to show faith in players like Samad and encourage them to do well rather than threaten and detract them,” said a top former player.