Irfan Pathan told me that if I score big, I'm capable of playing for India: Abdul Samad

Jammu and Kashmir’s promising all-rounder Abdul Samad has revealed the advice given to him by his former mentor Irfan Pathan. The youngster has revealed Pathan told him that he could go on to play for Team India if he displayed the ability to play long innings. Samad showed his undeniable talent in the just-concluded IPL 2020 while playing for Sunrisers Hyderabad.

Living up to his reputation of being a pinch hitter, Samad hit some big shots in the tournament. He scored 111 runs for the franchise in eight innings, and scored his runs at an excellent strike rate of 170.76. He hit six sixes in the tournament while batting in the lower-order. In the second qualifier, he nearly took SRH over the line against Delhi Capitals by smashing 33 off just 16 balls.

Abdul Samad on Irfan Pathan’s impact on his career:

In a video shared on SRH’s YouTube channel, Abdul Samad opened up on his career so far. He recalled starting his journey in the game at an early age of eight on the streets of Jammu and Kashmir. Samad also revealed that his father was involved in sports too and encouraged him to pursue the game while his mother wanted him to concentrate more on his academics.

He further opened up on Irfan Pathan’s influence in his cricketing career. The former India all-rounder had spotted Samad as a 16-year-old in 2018, at a trial in Jammu. Pathan was impressed by Samad’s big-hitting skills. Recalling his time with with the southpaw, Abdul Samad revealed his conversation with the former Jammu and Kashmir mentor.

“After playing Under-19 one-dayers when we came back home, there was a camp set up, where Irfan bhai had come. Irfan bhai saw me batting, and he asked why I was not able to score the big runs. I told him that I lacked a little patience. He told me then that I should hit but a little selectively. He told me that if I look at scoring big runs, then I am capable of playing for India one day,” Samad said.

Abdul Samad also shared his experience of the IPL trials. After impressing in the domestic circuit, he was called up for IPL trials by SRH, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. He eventually got his maiden IPL contract from the Hyderabad-based franchise.

“Then I went to 3 places for IPL trials: Sunrisers Hyderabad, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians. When my name came on TV during the IPL auctions, and the Sunrisers Hyderabad picked me, I was very happy that day, as I was finally picked for the IPL,” concluded Samad.