Asif Iqbal
Srinagar, Jan 16 (GNS): After registering two big consecutive wins, an upbeat Jammu and Kashmir unit would be up against table-topper’s Punjab in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-2021.
Punjab with a modest run rate (NRR 2.916) enjoys an upper hand against Jammu & Kashmir (NRR 0.445), nonetheless the match is anticipated to be a high-voltage contest, for the latter would be riding high on confidence, given its big wins in last two outings.
Jammu and Kashmir led by Parvez Rasool, after suffering a loss in the first match against Karnataka by 43 runs, exhibited great character to defeat Tripura by seven wickets in the second and then went on to register another thumping win against Uttar Pradesh by 8 wickets.
Jammu and Kashmir bowling unit led by Mujtaba Yousaf, Ram Dayal, Abid Mushtaq and Aquib Ali besides Parvez Rasool and Abdul Sammad has been exceptional throughout though the top batting order continues to be in doldrums with Qamran Iqbal and Aqib Banday failing to make mark in the matches played so far.
All-rounder Abdul Sammad would be one among many to watch for, more so given his last performance against Uttar Pradesh where the recent IPL Sensation scored an unbeaten 54 of just 35 deliveries with four mighty sixes and a four, at number 3 position.
Punjab on the other hand will make every effort to capitalise on the scintillating performances of its top-performers, including; Prabshimran Singh – who also is third run-getter in the tournament so far – and Abhishek Sharma with batting averages of 97.50 and 46 respectively besides S Kaul, Arshdeep Singh and Harpreet Brar who share 16 wickets among them, to continue its winning streak.
If reports are to be believed the Jammu and Kashmir team might be missing services’ of one of its middle-order batsman, who has tested COVID-19 positive.
The Parvez Rasool led team, as per reports, was tested for COVID-19 infection on Friday, upon which one of its members’ hailing from Jammu division tested positive.
The probable XI from Jammu and Kashmir include; Ahmed Banday, Shubham Pundir, Aamir Aziz, Parvez Rasool (C), Abdul Samad, Suryansh Raina(WK), Aquib Nabi, Abid Mushtaq, Mujtaba Yousuf, Ram Dayal, Puneet Kumar.
The venue remains KCSA Cricket Ground Alur in Bengluru and match will start this afternoon at 12:00 PM. (GNS)
