The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : Just reward for Munaf

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 28, 2006

Sport

Sport - Cricket

Just reward for Munaf

Special Correspondent

Mumbai: The national selectors will reward fast-medium bowler Munaf Patel for his match winning spells of five for 59 and five for 32 for the Board President's XI against England in the three-day game at Baroda. Once the 22-year-old Munaf completes his Deodhar Trophy engagements, he is likely to be part of the Indian team right through the series against England. The selectors are also contemplating picking him in the squad for the second Test at Mohali.

The national selectors and coach Greg Chappell have been in search of a fresh crop of fast bowlers since the home series against Sri Lanka. Initially Kerala's S. Sreesanth and Punjab's V.R.V. Singh impressed the Australian coach, now Munaf caught the selectors eyes with an outstanding effort.

Munaf has taken 88 wickets at 21.07 in 24 first class matches. This season he was Maharashtra's frontline seamer, taking 34 wickets at 19.70. Munaf suffered a shoulder injury in the early part of the 2004-05 season.

Apart from Munaf, the selectors may also call Jammu Kashmir's Abid Nabi to Mohali to bowl to the Indian team.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail