Yusuf Abdulla, signed for a mere $25,000, has emerged as Yuvraj Singh's man of the moment
Yusuf Abdulla, signed for a mere $25,000, has emerged as Yuvraj Singh's man of the moment
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While the "old pros"u00a0 have been making a name for themselves in the 2009 edition of the Indian Premier League, there's a 26-year-old left-arm swing bowler, who was not even considered at the auction in Goa, is creating waves with some outstanding performances.
Yusuf Abdulla, signed by the Kings XI Punjab for $25,000 just days before the IPL was to kick off, has been going about doing his job in earnest and has emerged as the man of the moment.
He has taken nine wickets at 12.22 off 15 overs and has an economy rate of 7.33 to the over. His input for the Kings XI has been phenomenal and produced another two telling performances 3-21 vs Rajasthan Royals in Cape Town on Monday and on Wednesday evening took 2-19 as his team garnered two points from their three-run win over the Mumbai Indians.
The Johannesburg-born Nashua Dolphins star, who spent most of his young days in the Northern KwaZulu-Natal town of Dundee (300km away from Durban), has had a high success rate with his local franchise in the Standard Bank Pro20 Series.
In the 2007-08 season he top the list with 10 wickets at 4.32 runs per over rate in the eight games he played for the Nashua Dolphins. He was again the pick of the Dolphins bowlers last season.
That earned him a place in the South African Twenty20 squad for a two-match series against Australia. He made his international debut at the Wanderers where he took the prized wicket of Ricky Ponting in his opening over.
Hence, there was an interest in his services from Tom Moody, coach of the Kings XI, when West Indian Jerome Taylor pulled out of the IPL II through injury.
The deal was done swiftly there were no ifs or buts, according to Abdulla. "I was asked if I was keen. I said definitely and I was told that I would get $25 000. And that I should report for duty at the team camp," he said.
Now after five games for the Kings XI, he is one of the celebrated players alongside the international who make up the team.
"When I first arrived, I felt a little out of place as there were so many big names in the side. But I was told emphatically that I'm part of the squad and was welcomed with open arms. That, I believe, was really great as it settled me down quickly," he said.
Abdulla said the best part of being with the Kings XI Punjab is that not one of the internationals tells him how to approach his bowling in this format.
"The senior pros Yuvraj and Mahela have never interfered with me and my action or how to bowl to different players. All I have received is encouragement. They have told me that I'm where I'm at this stage of my career because I've developed into a good swing bowler. They want to see me succeed and they advise and assist when things go a little wrong."
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