26.6 C
Srinagar
Sunday, October 13, 2024

U-23 National Tourney : Ahmad Banday answers selectors with double ton

Talented young opening batsman Ahmad Omar Banday on Wednesday hit double ton of 214 runs on the third day of four-day Col CK Nayudu Trophy match against Himachal Pradesh at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium, Amtar, Himachal Pradesh.

Riding on the majestic knock played by Banday, JK were on 344 runs for the loss of five wickets in first inning. Himachal Pradesh had scored 469 runs in its first inning. JK are still trailing Himachal’s first inning score by 125 runs with five wickets in hand. Muhammad Haziq Bhat was still at crease on fine composed knock of 52 runs with Fazil Rashid on 9.

However, the day belonged to talented Banday who was snubbed from Ranji trophy squad by J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) selectors and included in U-23 team. The omission of Banday had already raised many eyebrows with the talented opener having solid domestic record behind him.

However, without mincing any word on his omission, Banday has let his bat to do the talking. In JK’s total of 334 runs Banday scored 214. He scored around 75 percent of JK’s runs on third day giving them the hope to overhaul Himachal total. His inning stretched 346 deliveries scoring 30 boundaries and two sixes. He got out LBW to AP Vashist at the fag end of the day. However, before getting out he made it sure to give respect to JK inning and make selectors aware about his credentials.

Banday is reckoned highly in JK cricket circles and has been scoring big hundreds in national events time and again. Even in domestic cricket arena he has been among top run getters last year and this season. Despite the fact that he has been top performer, the talented opener was omitted by selectors from Ranji trophy instead those who were picked have almost zero cricket background. Apart from Mohsin Mufti on whose inclusion questions are being asked. Selectors recently included another questionable player to the squad, Suhail Andleep. ahmad-banday

 Sources said that it is club politics on the basis of which top players like Banday, Mehjoor Sofi, Muhammad Mudassar are sitting at home and unknown cricketers are part of Ranji team.

FRATERNITY HAILS

Meanwhile cricket fraternity has hailed Banday’s performance and has said that he has potential to make it big on national in arena.

“I always believed in Ahmad’s abilities. He is an amazing talent. The only problem that overtakes him is his patience which runs out fast but then there is a different angle to it; he always wants to pile up more and more runs as quickly as possible. Today’s knock is special for two reason, one that he has proven his potential for bigger stage and two team needed it badly after opponents had amassed 469 runs. He needs to be consistent now,” Mubashir Hassan BCCI qualified Coach.

Manager Amateur Cricket Club, Abid Pathan said that Omar has been the top player for the club from last three years and deserved this double ton.

“He is the player that has got bright future and everyone in club cricket is aware about his ability. This ton will help him gain his place in Ranji trophy team,” Pathan said.

Former J&K Cricket Association General Secretary, Saleem Khan said that Omar is talented youngster and should have been part of Ranji team

“I believe that he deserved to be in Ranji team instead of Under-23 side. In Ranji team our opener has struggled and Omar would have been idle choice to replace him. However, I don’t know what selection criteria that this current body is employing while selecting players,” Khan said.

Tariq Rashid Ghani, owner of Ghani Gliders said that, the inning played by Omar deserved to be applauded.

“It was inning under pressure and Omar shined on that. He is talented cricketer and has been top performer in club cricket,” he said. (Courtesy Greater Kashmir)

ALSO READ

Check out other tags:

Trending Now