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Why Kerala's SMAT Hero Salman Nizar Was Nearly Thrown Out Of The Team Alongside Samson?

Abhinav Tyagi

Salman Nazir - (Source:KeralaCricketFans/X.com)Salman Nazir - (Source:KeralaCricketFans/X.com)

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On Friday, November 29, Kerala star batter Salman Nizar hogged the internet after he played a 99-run knock against Mumbai in the ongoing Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Notably, Kerala, batting first, put 234 runs on the board. 

Skipper Sanju Samson flopped in the game and returned to the pavilion for a low score of 4. Nonetheless, Salman took the onus on his shoulders as he smashed 99 (49), which featured eight sixes and five fours. 

Salman Nizar Stranded On 99 Against Mumbai

Salman is taking over the internet as his knock helped Kerala beat Mumbai by a whopping 43 runs to go on top of the table of Group E in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Meanwhile, this article will shed light more light on Salman Nizar, who once was thrown out of Kerala's team. 

Notably, in 2018, Nizar was among the 13 Kerala players who were fined for showing dissent towards then-captain Sachin Baby. Apparently, Kerala had visited Sri Lanka for a tour, where the players were unhappy with Baby's leadership and wrote a letter to KCA expressing the same.

KCA Stamps Nizar With Sanction Over Dissent

However, the decision backfired as the Kerala Cricket Association were unhappy with the players for directly approaching them and suspended five players for three matches. Nazir, Nazir alongside Sanju Samson and six more players were sanctioned their entire match fees for the next three matches. 

The five players who are suspended are Raiphi Gomez, Sandeep Warrier, Rohan Prem, KM Asif and Mohammed Azharuddeen. The eight who have only earned fines are Abhishek Mohan, KC Akshay, Fabid Ahmed, MD Nidheesh, Salman Nizar, Sijomon Joseph, VA Jagadeesh and Samson.

The fees collected by all the players went to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief fund. The KCA had also issued a show-cause notice to Salman and Samson alongside a few other for skipping a tournament.