“He advised to hit but a little selectively,” Abdul Samad shares how Irfan Pathan’s advice refined his batting

“He advised to hit but a little selectively,” Abdul Samad shares how Irfan Pathan’s advice refined his batting

Irfan Pathan and Abdul Samad

Irfan Pathan and Abdul Samad
Irfan Pathan and Abdul Samad

The recently concluded 13th season of the Indian Premier League saw young Indian talents shine on the grand stage. One of the promising talents who hogged the limelight in IPL 2020 was Kashmir all-rounder Abdul Samad. While we didn’t see him bowl much in the league, the youngster showcased his prowess with the bat. And the Sunrisers Hyderabad management backed him up as he kept growing with every game.

Samad. who amassed 111 runs in 11 matches, stepped up in the crucial second qualifier against Delhi Capitals this season. The hard hitter stood up to his reputation as he slammed 33 runs off 16 balls, his best innings in his debut season. But was unable to finish off the game as SRH crashed out of the league after an impressive run.

I am capable of playing for India one day

Abdul Samad

The 19-year-old shares that during his U-19 stint his batting was in pieces as he struggled to be patient and spend time in the middle. Samad adds that former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan‘s advice worked wonders for him. Pathan felt that him trying to whack the ball out of the park every time is why he was struggling to get those big runs.

“After playing Under-19 one-dayers when we came back home, there was a camp set up, where Irfan bhai had come. Irfan bhai saw me batting, and he asked why I was not able to score the big runs. I told him that I lacked a little patience,” said Samad in a video made by the Hyderabad franchise.

The decorated left arm quick adviced him to be selective in his shots and look to score big runs everytime he walked out. Samad recalls that Pathan belives he can don the light blue of India if he continues to work hard and perform well in the middle.

“He (Irfan) told me then that I should hit but a little selectively. He told me that if I look at scoring big runs, then I am capable of playing for India one day,” said Samad.

In the short time Samad spent in the middle in IPL 2020, he showed not only his temperament but also his ability to go toe to toe with the big guns of the game.

Also read : “Always had the theory that it would work,” Ryan Campbell opens up about scoop shot and much more | FirstSportz Exclusive