Umar Nazir to return for J&K against Vidarbha after being 'rested'

Umar Nazir, the 32-year-old pace bowler from Jammu and Kashmir, is set to return for J&K against Vidarbha in the Ranji Trophy later this week after being 'rested' for J&K's Ranji Trophy opener.

During breaks in J&K's match against Madhya Pradesh, BCCI president Mithun Manhas watched Umar bowl in the nets and placed a stump behind him to check his landing and guard against overstepping, using his long association with J&K to help fine-tune the pacer's run-up.

Umar recently returned a match haul of five for 157 in the Irani Cup earlier this month, and his availability becomes more pertinent with Auqib Nabi joining the India-A squad for the tour of New Zealand.

J&K struggled to make inroads at crucial moments against Madhya Pradesh, with the batting failing to show the resolve needed as the defending champion escaped with a draw; Yudhvir Singh is unfit and Nasir Lone bowled just 16 overs against MP, leaving the side with limited options.

Captain Paras Dogra acknowledged the team's shortcomings, saying: “Our batters have not been up to the mark and have failed to build partnerships. The bowlers have been performing fairly well, both in the Irani Cup and in the Ranji opener,” he told The Hindu. “We hope Umar will be fresh and ready for the next game.”

Dogra also said the openers must lead the recovery and provide a platform for the rest of the batting line-up.

For Umar, the Vidarbha fixture offers a chance to turn disappointment into opportunity as he looks to add bite to an attack that lacked consistency against Madhya Pradesh; he is due to return to J&K's XI later this week against Vidarbha.