Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Pacer Nathu Singh bags maiden T20 four-for

New Delhi: Rajasthan's Nathu Singh was in the news recently when he was selected in the Board President's XI squad for the two-day match against South Africa.

Though he has played just three Ranji Trophy matches at the time, chairman of selectors Sandeep Patil said that "there was glimpse of spark in him" that prompted them to select the youngster for Board President's XI.

The pacer was unable to make a significant impact in that match. His only victim was Dean Elgar in a 14.4 over spell in which he conceded 56 runs.

He then endured a poor run of from in domestic cricket (Ranji Trophy and Vijay Hazare Trophy), picking up eight wickets in 10 innings.

Expectedly, Nathu failed to make the cut when India's ODI and T20 squads were named for the Australian tour.

With another little-known pacer Brainder Sran picked, the focus completely shifted from Nathu.

However, the right-armer is back in the news once again with a decent start to the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaign.

In Rajasthan's first Group A match, he came under fire from the Tamil Nadu batsman. Nathu ended the match with figures of 1/65 in seven overs.

But he made a strong comeback in the second match against Kerala, bagging his maiden T20 four-for.

Nathu bowled a superb four-over spell, picking up four wickets for 13 runs and 16 dot balls.

The youngster now needs to maintain this form in the remainder of the tournament to enter the reckoning for the upcoming T20 World Cup.