After a surprise last-minute call-up, all-rounder Lone Nasir claimed three wickets and smashed a 58-ball 64 to rescue Jammu & Kashmir in the Irani Cup.
Jammu & Kashmir all-rounder Lone Nasir produced a stellar all-round performance during the Irani Cup match against Rest of India, despite playing in a jersey with Vivrant Sharma’s name taped on the back.
The 29-year-old's selection came as a surprise after having taken zero wickets and scoring just 115 runs—with a previous top score of 44—across his three previous First Class appearances for J&K. Due to the last-minute inclusion, the team did not have a kit prepared with his name and number.
After snaring three wickets on the opening day, Nasir came in to bat at No. 10 with J&K teetering at 166 for eight. He turned the innings around by hitting a fast-paced 64 off 58 balls and combining for a key 64-run stand with skipper Paras Dogra to put J&K in a strong position.
"My selection was at the last minute. It was unexpected. I wasn’t sure I would be picked even though I had done well in the trial games," Nasir said at the close of day two.
Addressing the pressure of rescuing the innings, Nasir added: "Such situations are not new to me. I have taken the J&K under-23 team out of such situations many times. The belief was there."
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Cricket. Photo courtesy The Hindu Cricket.