Unmukt Chand Dismisses Reports Of Looking For Cricket Career In USA

Unmukt Chand, the 2012 Under-19 World Cup-winning captain, has quashed the rumours of eyeing a cricket career in the USA’s upcoming Major League Cricket T20 League.

This claim was made by Sami Aslam, a former Pakistan cricketer who has moved to the US to participate in their cricket. Aslam also said other Under-19 cricketers of Unmukt Chand’s batch, Smit Patel and Harmeet Singh also flew to the USA.

However, Unmukt Chand has now cleared the air revealing that he has gone to the US for a “leisure trip” but also participated in a practice session. Smit and Harmeet though are part of official Major League Cricket practice games.

“I had gone to the USA to visit my relatives, and of course when there, I went for a bat or two — just to practise. I had gone to the training session just because I had come here, but I have done nothing like signing anything in the USA. This trip is nothing but a leisure tour,” Unmukt Chand told Indianexpress.com.

After helping India to the Under-19 victory with a brilliant century in the final against Australia, Unmukt Chand was touted to soon play for the senior side. However, his career took a nosedive from there.

The Delhi-born got opportunities in the IPL – he played for Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals (then Daredevils), and Rajasthan Royals – but couldn’t make the most of it. The 28-year-old now captains Uttarakhand in domestic cricket.

30 or 40 foreign players have arrived in America recently: Sami Aslam

Sami Aslam quit the Pakistan team in December last year after playing his last Test match in 2017. The opener has shifted his base to the US.

In an interview with Pakpassion.net, he declared that about 30 or 40 players, including Unmukt Chand, have flown to the USA to reboot their cricket careers.

“30 or 40 foreign players have arrived in America recently. A few former Under-19 Indian players have also arrived, including Unmukt Chand, Smit Patel and Harmeet Singh,” Aslam was quoted as saying.

“There are many players from South Africa over here now who have played a lot of First-class cricket in their homeland. Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson is also here. The set-up and system are very impressive and well structured. USA Cricket is really putting in a huge effort to improve cricket in America and to move it forward. It will take time for them to reach the higher levels, but the standard of cricket in America is improving fast,” he asserted.

Of the players Aslam mentioned, former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson had confirmed that he has signed a three-year contract with the Major League Cricket T20.

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