Claiming 10 wickets is big achievement in any form of cricket more so if the bowler is a medium pacer.
The feat was achieved by Suleman of Kadapa in an under-19 inter-district match against Krishna at the newly laid wicket at Venkatgiri in Nellore district on Sunday. He bowled 32.2 overs from one end unchanged to run through the rival side.
Though Krishna District went on to win the match, the 18-year-old pacer from Dhuvur mandal grabbed the attention of both coaches and administrators looking for talented young cricketers.
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Earlier, for Andhra Cricket Association, players like Sk. Mahaboob Basha (Guntur), Naresh (Anantapur), Suraj Preetham (Srikakulam) and Rambabu (East Godavari) scalped all 10 wickets both in the board and State matches.
“This boy is playing his fourth match of the season. Last year though he was in the team he could not play. He is 5 feet 7 inches tall and has a gentle run-up to the wicket. He sticks to his basics by bowling wicket to wicket,” said Rehman, an umpire from Kadapa, who saw induction of Suleman in cricket.
Mr. Rehman said that Suleman was a product of sub-centres spruced by the Kadapa District Cricket Association to promote the game in rural areas. “We have sub-centres at Proddatur, Pulampeta, and Nandalor. He was spotted in the selection trials staged to identify rookie players”.
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Mr. Yugandhar Reddy, an administrator from Anantapur, felt that Suleman should be inducted into ACA academies to hone skills in a more methodical manner. “He appears to have the wherewithal and temperament to make it to the big league. Experienced coaches should groom him as a quality spearhead.”
Suleman adds income to his family by taking up sundry agricultural work and during cricket season he gives his best as a medium pacer.