Munaf should be taken to Australia: Dungarpur

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal"><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">VADODARA:</span> The latest pace bowling sensation in the country Munaf Patel should be taken to Australia for the upcoming tour, says former president of the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) Rajsingh Dungarpur. <br /><br />He was in the city as chief guest for the launch of the Kiran More International Cricket Academy at the Bhavan''s School and said that if the youngster had the talent he should be persevered with.<br /><br />"I believe that Munaf should be taken to Australia," he told reporters after the launch of the Academy."This way he will get a chance to bowl at the Indian batsmen there and if there is an injury, who knows, he may get his chance." <br /><br />Known for not mincing words, Dungarpur made this comment while speaking about the need to stick with talent, not only in players but also in the managers of the game.<br /><br />"A C Muthiah, the former president of the Board, had tried to bring in the concept of corporate governance in the BCCI. And what did they do with him? They showed him the door... Look at John Wright, the current coach of the Indian team. His contract is being renewed from one series to another. Imagine the amount of uncertainty a system like this creates."<br /><br />Munaf, who has been basking in the limelight of taking five wickets on his first-class debut and that too against a touring New Zealand team. <br /><br />The shy lad, who was also present at the inauguration of the academy, branded the Bharuch Express for his extra pace, immediately became a hit with the schoolchildren who flocked him for autographs as if he was already an international star. Some of the boys even had their photographs taken with him. When reporters asked for his mobile number he gave it without once flinching.<br /><br />But he still seems a little uncomfortable under the sharp focus of both the media. Flocked by reporters for his reactions about his sudden climb to fame, he preferred to answer in monosyllables and one-liners. Asked if he was ready to take on the might of the Australians, all he said was, "Yes I am ready."<br /><br />But he was more vocal about his match for India A against New Zealand which ended in Rajkot on Saturday. "I have never played against such a high quality of batsmen before. Just facing them taught me a thing or two."<br /><br />Although there was some criticism about his round-arm action and not as much pace as expected, he ended up with wickets of the two most celebrated New Zealand batsmen in the present team in both innings, Nathan Astle and captain Stephen Fleming. Munaf added that he enjoyed taking Nathan Astle''s wickets the most. The New Zealander was trapped leg-before in both innings by sharp in-cutters.<br /><br />MRF Pace Foundation coach T A Shekher, who will alao be assisting More in the academy, pleaded not to compare Munaf with the likes of Brett Lee and Shoib Akhtar. <br /><br />"Munaf is still very raw and we are working on him to make him fitter, more accurate and ensure injury prevention," he said. "Also, we will end up putting too much pressure on him by comparing him to Akhtar or Brett Lee. It will only force him to try and bowl beyond his physical capabilities and that is not easy in Indian conditions. I am against comparing cricketers."</div> </div>