VIDARBHA’S double Ranji Trophy and Irani Cup winning captain Faiz Fazal and a young Faiz Sheikh have a few things in common and the latter wants to go one step ahead of his illustrious senior by playing Under-19 World Cup representing India. The youngster, who is a southpaw and an opening batsman like his senior namesake, first made it to one of the six teams in the Challenger Trophy Men’s Under-19 tournament conducted by BCCI. Faiz Sheikh impressed the junior selectors with his hundred and has been selected in the India A squad for the upcoming Under-19 tri-series that involves India B as well as a young Bangladesh side. “I got a call from BCCI today morning confirming my selection in India A team for the tri-series. I did well in the opportunities I got but was not very sure about my selection. I always think that a century must be followed by another similar score or at least a fifty to strengthen credentials as a regular big-scorer and not a one-innings player.

 

Other batsmen also did well (in Challenger Trophy) and in future I will have to be on my toes, if I want to compete with them. We have been asked to report at Kolkata on 23rd of this month. More can be only known after reaching there. I would like to play with intent and prove myself,” said Faiz Sheikh while interacting with ‘The Hitavada’ on Monday. The 50-overs tri-series will also be a sort of selection trials to pick India team for the upcoming U-19 World Cup scheduled to be held in the West Indies in 2022. “I know that Faiz bhai was part of the Indian contingent in 2004 but fractured his thumb during a warm-up game and returned. I want to get selected in the Indian side for the World Cup and make sure that I actually play the World Cup,” Faiz Sheikh asserted. Faiz, who finished as eighth top scorer in the Challenger Trophy Men’s Under-19 Tournament that was played at Ahmedabad wants to break in the senior side pretty soon. “If I keep on performing well, I know I can break into the senior Vidarbha side very soon.

 

We have examples of young players making it to the Ranji Trophy squad. If I do not succeed much then may be I will have to play for the Under-25 side first,” Faiz sounded practical. Faiz trains at Nagpur Cricket Academy run by Madhav Bakre who sees a lot of promise in the youngster. “He has been with the club for last three years. Even at that age, he was comfortable playing 140-145 kms on bowling machine with ease. He also has that ability of hitting big sixes. I have a lot of expectation form hi. If he does well in the tri-series and gets picked up for World Cup, IPL doors will open for him,” said Bakre.