Jaipur: Sometimes a small contribution can make a big impact. Rajasthan Royals realised it the hard way against Lucknow Super Giants here on Saturday. Avesh Khan has been hogging the limelight with his last-over heroics for Lucknow, but many experts believe it was Abdul Samad ’s little cameo for them which made the pivotal difference.
Opting to bat, LSG found themselves struggling at 153/5 with two overs to go. That’s when Samad stepped in and smacked four sixes in the last over to finish their innings on a high. An explosive 30 runs off just 10 balls swelled their total to 180 for 5.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The flamboyant 23-year-old Jammu batter made the perfect use of Sandeep Sharma’s military pace to hammer him over the long-on and mid-wicket region to notch up 27 runs from the 20th over. Flaunting his power-hitting muscle and dispatching the ball into the SMS Stadium stands with clean strikes, his unbeaten 30 changed RR’s fortunes.
As his onslaught unfolded, few would know that Samad had arrived in Jaipur only hours before the game as his mother was admitted to a New Delhi hospital because of back issues. Samad’s father Mohammed Farooq praised his son for showing mental toughness in the hour of crisis. “I am really proud about my son’s performance.
Hitting four sixes against an experienced bowler like Sandeep Sharma is not an easy thing. As my wife was not well, Samad was with her for a couple of days after getting permission from the team management. He flew to Jaipur just before the match. I hope Samad continues to play such knocks in the remaining matches,” Farooq, himself a national-level cricketer in his college days, said.
Samad’s mate, Avesh also acknowledged the impact of those last over sixes, pointing out that had Samad hit only two, the score would have been much lower, making the target more achievable. “The last overs are crucial. The momentum shifts. With his four sixes, the momentum shifted to our side.
If he had hit two sixes, we would have got 165-170. It was only a difference of 10 runs. In the last over, when a bowler (Sharma) gets hit for 20-25 runs, he hands momentum to the other team. Samad provided us with a cushion in the last over,” said Avesh.
After playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad for three years, Samad arrived at LSG for Rs 4.2 crore this season, largely thanks to his awesome strike rate of more than 150. Samad’s close friend Prince Utkarsh admired the way he left behind the personal troubles. “He was worried about Aunty’s health as she was bed-ridden. But knowing the importance of the match, he came here as a thorough professional cricketer,” said Utkarsh.
Opting to bat, LSG found themselves struggling at 153/5 with two overs to go. That’s when Samad stepped in and smacked four sixes in the last over to finish their innings on a high. An explosive 30 runs off just 10 balls swelled their total to 180 for 5.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
The flamboyant 23-year-old Jammu batter made the perfect use of Sandeep Sharma’s military pace to hammer him over the long-on and mid-wicket region to notch up 27 runs from the 20th over. Flaunting his power-hitting muscle and dispatching the ball into the SMS Stadium stands with clean strikes, his unbeaten 30 changed RR’s fortunes.
As his onslaught unfolded, few would know that Samad had arrived in Jaipur only hours before the game as his mother was admitted to a New Delhi hospital because of back issues. Samad’s father Mohammed Farooq praised his son for showing mental toughness in the hour of crisis. “I am really proud about my son’s performance.
Hitting four sixes against an experienced bowler like Sandeep Sharma is not an easy thing. As my wife was not well, Samad was with her for a couple of days after getting permission from the team management. He flew to Jaipur just before the match. I hope Samad continues to play such knocks in the remaining matches,” Farooq, himself a national-level cricketer in his college days, said.
Samad’s mate, Avesh also acknowledged the impact of those last over sixes, pointing out that had Samad hit only two, the score would have been much lower, making the target more achievable. “The last overs are crucial. The momentum shifts. With his four sixes, the momentum shifted to our side.
If he had hit two sixes, we would have got 165-170. It was only a difference of 10 runs. In the last over, when a bowler (Sharma) gets hit for 20-25 runs, he hands momentum to the other team. Samad provided us with a cushion in the last over,” said Avesh.
After playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad for three years, Samad arrived at LSG for Rs 4.2 crore this season, largely thanks to his awesome strike rate of more than 150. Samad’s close friend Prince Utkarsh admired the way he left behind the personal troubles. “He was worried about Aunty’s health as she was bed-ridden. But knowing the importance of the match, he came here as a thorough professional cricketer,” said Utkarsh.
You may also like
Sonu Nigam to MM Keeravani: Anupam Kher unveils the musical team of 'Tanvi The Great'
Mikel Arteta makes Liverpool admission as Arsenal face giving new champions guard of honour
Kalinga Super Cup: Chennaiyin FC will not be using more defensive approach, says head coach Coyle
Daley Thompson's secret Celebrity Big Brother 'feud' as evicted star calls housemates 'desperate'
Brits urged to put cash away for Christmas now to stop debt - how to start saving
