J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) has announced the team for the prestigious Ranji Trophy 4-day format cricket tournament which starts next week.
The team was announced on Wednesday evening in Jammu by theselectors in consultation with Irfan Pathan and Parvez Rasool.
The team was selected after selection trials were held forshortlisted players in Jammu and also keeping in view the recent performance ofthe players in various National level events.
Parvez, who was out of formin both the tournaments, has again been handed responsibility of leading theside. Apart from the seasoned cricketerswho are established names in J&K cricket, the team includes many surprises.
Opener Ahmed Banday, who was left out of T20 tournament, hasmade his way back into the team and he will be joined at the top of the battingorder by Shubham Khajuria.
For the opening slot, thereis a surprise inclusion of youngster Jiyaad Nazir Magrey who was recently partof J&K Under-23 team. The middleorder would have Shubham Pundir and Owais Shah. In wicket keeping, theselectors have included Fazil Rashid who did well in both One-day and T20tournaments.
This time the selectors have included one more wicketkeeperin the team in shape of Suryansh Raina. The inclusion of 19-year oldhard-hitting batsman and utility leg spinner Abdul Samad is a major surprise.He is on the radar of Mumbai Indians side for the Indian Premier League andafter doing well for J&K team in shorter format tournament, he was alsopart of J&K Under-19 side in Cooch Behar Trophy. In spin department, theselectors have recalled Waseem Raza and he will be joined by Abid Mushtaq.
Veteran pacer Mohammad Mudhasir has been recalled to lead thepace department and he will be joined by Ram Dayal, Umer Nazir, Rohit Sharmaand Mujtaba Yusuf.
The Bijbehara born, Mujtaba was recently selected forChallenger trophy and was also part of J&K Under-19 side in Cooch Behartrophy. J&K is scheduled to take onUttrakhand in the first match of the season at Dehradun on December 9.
Team: Parvez Rasool, Ahmed Banday, Shubham Khajuria,Shubham Pundir, Owais Shah, Jiyaad Magrey, Suryansh Raina, Fazil Rashid, AbdulSamad, Waseem Raza, Abid Mushtaq, Mohammad Mudhasir, Umer Nazir, Mujtaba Yusuf,Ram Dayal and Rohit Sharma.
Official: Milap Mewada (Coach), Javed Mir (Assistant Coach),Pawan Kumar (Trainer), Karan Nair (Physio) and Bilal Shamas (Manager).