Siddipet brothers Afridi, Arfaz looks to shine in TG20 league

Mohammad Afridi Ahmed and Mohammad Arfaz Ahmed, popularly known as the Siddipet brothers, are set to feature in the Telangana T20 League. Having risen from humble beginnings, the duo hopes to impress selectors and IPL scouts with strong all-round performances

Siddipet: Mohammad Afridi Ahmed (26) and Mohammad Arfaz Ahmed (24), famously known as the Siddipet brothers, are eager to grab eyeballs in the Telangana T20 League with their performances with both bat and ball. The first season of the league will commence on June 21. Afridi and Arfaz, sons of tent house owner Ameer Jany of Sajidpura locality here, were trained in cricket by their father at the Siddipet Degree College ground.

Though running the tent house was the only source of income for the family, Ameer Jany, who was also known as a fast bowler in Siddipet during his younger years, wanted to see both his children pursue cricket as a career.

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Even after representing the Hyderabad team at various levels, the brothers were supporting their father in installing and dismantling tents every day. Though rural cricketers get fewer opportunities to prove themselves than Hyderabad cricketers, Afridi and Arfaz put in all-out efforts to prove their mettle in age-group cricket.

While the Nalgonda Knights team inducted Arfaz for a record Rs 11 lakh, Afridi was bagged by Palamuru Strikers for Rs 2.30 lakh during the intensely fought auction. While Afridi is a batting all-rounder, Arfaz is a bowling all-rounder. Afridi and Arfaz are electric on the field as well.

They have represented the Combined Districts team in the Hyderabad Cricket Association A Division League. They excelled with both bat and ball in the recent league matches. Speaking to Telangana Today, Arfaz said it was a great opportunity to perform in the TG20 League. He said they simply wanted to focus on their game rather than think too much.

As IPL scouting teams would be watching the league keenly in search of young talent, those who perform well in the competition would get better opportunities.