Jammu express Umran Malik Sunday earned the Team India cap after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced India's squad for the five-match T20 International Home series against South Africa starting June 9.
In Jammu, celebrations broke instantly in the old city area where his father Abdul Rashid Malik runs a fresh fruit/vegetable shop. He was greeted and garlanded by the local residents and a victory procession was also taken out in the main streets via Gujjar Nagar area.
The shopkeepers and passersby greeted him, distributed sweets in jubilation. Large number of youngsters were seen dancing on the drum beats in celebration.
Thanking God Almighty Umran's father prayed for his best performance in the upcoming series in South Africa.
"I am very happy. My son has made all of us proud by earning the cap of Team India. All his hard work has been acknowledged and he is going to realise his dream of playing for the country", said Abdul Rashid.
"Today I want to thank the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the people of India and all his well wishers for blessing my son and backing him while he was performing well during the IPL series".
Ever since Umran started bowling in the ongoing IPL series he won hearts of cricket lovers with his best performance on the field. He bowled fastest bowls of the season and earned 13 awards in a row for bowling fastest deliveries.
Back home, his sisters and mother were busy receiving visitors who assembled at their residence to greet the family and celebrate the selection of their youngest son in TEAM INDIA.
Political leaders and sports administrators congratulated him on earning the cap of TEAM INDIA.
Former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah tweeted Well done Umran. "Well done Umran Malik. We will be watching the forthcoming T20 series against the Proteas very keenly".
Senior BJP leader and former Deputy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh posted a tweet congratulating the Jammu speedster. "Congratulations to Speedster of Jammu Umran Malik for his selection in the Indian Cricket team for the upcoming T20 series against South Africa. A proud moment for J&k".
Secretary J&K sports council Nuzhat Gull in a tweet said,
