IPL 2020: 18-year-old Abdul Samad from J&K tonks MASSIVE SIX off Nortje on IPL debut

The Indian Premier League is not just about the glitz, glamour, and the high profile cricket superstars. Its also about the unheard names that come from nowhere and seize these opportunities and make it count in the big stage. Such stories are the soul of the IPL. The latest to that list is young 18-year-old Abdul Samad. Hailing from the valleys of Kashmir, this youngster grabbed everyone’s attention in the last IPL match between SRH and DC. There he smashed a massive six off South African pacer Anrich Nortje bowling to announce his arrival in style.

Abdul Samad announces his arrival in style

In the recently concluded IPL match between Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals, a young boy from Jammu and Kashmir announced his IPL entry in style. Highly regarded as an attacking middle-order batsman, Abdul Samad was slotted into the SRH middle order to solve their never-ending domestic middle-order problem. Playing his first-ever competitive T20 match, Samad looked in no discomfort whatsoever. Coming into bat in the crucial 18^th over of the match, he smashed Anrich Nortje for a consecutive four and six. While the four was of an outside edge, the six that followed came right from the middle of the bat. It was in his slot and he whacked it high over the long-on with brute power. It was a perfect statement from the 18-year-old, that he belonged to the highest level.

Who is Abdul Samad?

Right before the start of the tournament, the hype around this young lad from Jammu and Kashmir was so much. People around the cricket circle and especially the SRH fans thought that he is the man destined enough to solve SRH’s middle-order problem. His name was thrown into the cricket circle by the former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan.

Another feather added to Jammu & Kashmir’s cricketing fraternity as Abdul Samad is all set to make his ipl debut.I wish him the luck for his long career ahead! I am certain,this will create positive waves in J&K’s younger generations; who will look upto this upcoming Hero! #ipl pic.twitter.com/Abd4wykRFO

— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) September 29, 2020

After finishing his International career, Pathan left Baroda to play for Jammu and Kashmir. He was the captain cum coach of the J&K state team. He was the one who spotted Samad during a selection camp. He was so impressed with his abilities, that he convinced VVS Laxman to pick him up for SRH. And guess what? By the looks of it, his gamble has paid off. Coming into bat at a crucial time of the innings, that too along with a world-renowned leader and batsmen, Kane Williamson, young Samad showed no lack of confidence. And that itself is a positive sign for greater things to follow for this young lad.