Pulwama, Jan 23: Residents of Pulwama district of South Kashmir Thursday celebrated in delight as local pacer Umar Nazir Mir delivered a stellar bowling performance against Mumbai in the ongoing Ranji Trophy cricket tournament.
Popularly known as the “Pulwama Express,” the 31-year-old right-arm medium pacer claimed four crucial wickets on day one while playing for the Jammu and Kashmir Ranji team.
In his 11-over spell, which included two maidens, he maintained an impressive economy rate of 3.70
Farooq Ahmad Mir, Umar’s uncle, expressed the overwhelming joy of the community.
“We received numerous congratulatory messages and calls from different parts of Pulwama,” he said, adding that cricket enthusiasts were particularly thrilled by the pacer’s performance.
Umar, who has been a consistent performer in Ranji Trophy for years, has the skill and potential to represent Jammu and Kashmir at a higher level, his uncle added, wishing him continued success.
Beyond his on-field achievements, Umar also runs a cricket academy in Waguma, Pulwama, where he trains aspiring cricketers. “These youngsters, inspired by Umar, were jubilant over his performance,” Farooq said. Standing tall at 6 feet 4 inches, Umar dismissed four key Mumbai players: Rohit Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Hardik Tamore, and Shivam Dube.
The dismissal of Rohit Sharma, who returned to Ranji cricket after nearly a decade, was particularly celebrated by the residents of Pulwama.
Dr. Rauf ur Rafiq, a sports promoter from Pulwama, commended Umar’s feat, noting that claiming four wickets in a single session, including three international stars, speaks volumes about his talent. “Umar is a seasoned player with years of first-class cricket experience. He works hard, maintains his fitness, and remains focused on his game,” Rafiq said, hoping for Umar’s eventual breakthrough into international cricket.
Coming from a humble background, Umar, a resident of Malikpora Pulwama, is renowned for his ability to hit the deck hard and swing the ball both ways.
His career highlights include a standout performance in the 2017 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he took 9 wickets in five matches at an average of 15, earning him a spot in the North Zone squad.
Umar has taken 138 wickets in 57 first-class matches. In List A cricket, he has claimed 54 wickets, while his T20 tally stands at 32 wickets.
