Young speedster Umran Malik has earned a maiden call-up for Team India on Sunday for the upcoming South Africa series. And, his father Abdul Rashid was overwhelmed with the news. However, his selection wasn’t a surprise as well as he has impressed everyone with his stunning bowling. He has claimed 22 wickets in 14 games of IPL 2022.
“People were just coming in hoards to congratulate me. I am now going home and would join the celebrations. Just saw the news on internet. What could be a bigger achievement than to wear the national colours,” Rashid told PTI over the phone from Jammu. “He has made all of us proud with his performances in the IPL and the way the whole country rallied behind him, we as a family can only be thankful. Pura desh ke support mila mere Umran ko.”
However, Rashid and his wife have made sacrifices for Umran to break the barriers. Notably, he is the second cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play for India after Parvez Rasool.
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“Umran had self belief that one day he will achieve success. He had faith in his skill and talent and worked hard for it. It is completely his success and also Almighty’s blessings. He worked hard and God supported him. I don’t deserve credit for his hard work,” Rashid said. “Humein apne zubaan se nahi bolna chahiye lekin iska stamina dekhne layak hain ji. Bachpan se, pura din subaah se leke shaam tak khelta rahta thaa. (I don’t want to brag but my son has unbelievable stamina. He would play cricket from dawn to dusk).”
Meanwhile, for Abdul Rashid, Umran’s journey has just started. And, he wants the youngster to work harder and do well for his country.
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“Now, I want him to work even harder and perform well for the country. He needs to focus on playing for India for a long time. He is our only son (apart from two daughters), so we (me and my wife) always gave him lot of love and indulgence. We never had any apprehensions that playing cricket could be risky. We have always kept Umran happy and we never made him realise that there are hardships. Whatever he wished for, he got it. More than me, my wife is his biggest supporter. We just want him to make the country proud with his performances. Nothing else matters for us,” Rashid said about Umran Malik.
