Samiullah in North Zone team for Duleep Trophy

ABID KHAN

Srinagar, Jan 17: Speedster Samiullah Beigh has been included in the North Zone team for the prestigious Duleep Trophy, which is scheduled from January 22. Without disclosing the names of players, the North Zone selection committee today said the squad would be led by Akash Chopra while as Amit Mishra has been chosen as vice-captain. The committee meeting was held at Chandigarh with Yashpal Sharma in chair and was attended by Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Dev and representatives of North Zone teams. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association was represented by its secretary Saleem Khan. Confirming Samiullah’s inclusion in the team, Saleem said, “It is matter of pride for the Valley us as the fast bowler has been selected second consecutive time for the tournament”. “I hope he performs well and impresses national selectors,” he said. Saleem said the selectors have not announced the team yet. He said, “The committee was waiting for the announcement of Indian cricket team and was holding back the names of other players in the North Zone squad”. When contacted, the fast bowler expressed happiness over the selection. “It is great to see myself in the squad. I got a call from JKCA secretary today about the selection,” he said. Samiullah thanked the JKCA president, Dr Farooq Abdullah and secretary, Saleem Khan for their support. The speedster said his aim was to play for Team India and IPL. “I have performed up to my full potential in the Ranji Trophy” In the five Ranji Trophy matches this year, Samiullah took 25 wickets with two five-wicket hauls. Apart from bowling he has also contributed with bat and scored 61, 48, 44, 42, 40 and 33 in respective matches. The fast bowler also contributed to the JK team success against Haryana. He took nine wickets and scored 52 runs in the match. In last season, he took 24 wickets in five matches with two five-wicket hauls and scored 137 runs. In Ranji test matches, Sami has taken 49 wickets with an average of 4.9 wickets per match. Despite such brilliant performance, he was not picked for Zonal team. It was only after the JKCA intervention and pressure from cricket fraternity that he was selected for the team. This year, Duleep Trophy will be played on knockout basis. South Zone and Central Zone, the teams placed at the bottom of their respective groups last season, will play a qualifying match in Bangalore from January 22. The winner will take on defending champion North Zone in the first semi-final, while East Zone will clash with West Zone in the second match. The final, scheduled on February 5, will be played in Chennai.

published on Janury 18-2009 link :http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=18_1_2009&ItemID=2&cat=4