KKR pacer Umran Malik to be picked for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy

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Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Umran Malik is set to be included in the Jammu and Kashmir squad for the upcoming Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

The pacer has returned to full fitness after a long layoff due to injury, and is expected to play a part in the T20 tournament, which starts within a week.

MyKhel understands Malik will be selected for J&K squad along with players like Auqib Nabi, Abid Mushtaq - who have played a massive part in their Ranji Trophy campaign so far. The Kashmir boys won their third Ranji match of the season against Hyderabad to conclude the first phase of the domestic red ball tournament on a high, and now focus on the T20 format.

Jammu and Kashmir are placed in Elite Group B along with Hyderabad, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chandigarh, Bihar, Maharashtra and Goa - and the group will play all its matches in Kolkata. J&K start their campaign against Madhya Pradesh on November 26, and the team will land at the city of joy on Sunday (November 23).

Umran Malik is poised to play a few matches at the Eden Gardens as well, his supposed home in the IPL. The India pacer was bought for Rs 75 lakh in the mega auction but played no part due to injury. Despite that, the KKR management has shown faith in the speedster as they retained him before the mini auction, which will take place in Abu Dhabi on December 16.

The 25-year-old pacer has played 26 IPL matches during his Sunrisers Hyderabad days, and has 29 wickets to his name. Umran has also represented India in 10 ODIs and 8 T20Is, bagging 13 and 11 wickets respectively in them. His last appearance in national colours was back in 2023, and the upcoming Mushtaq Ali campaign can be a paving stone in the right direction.