Baroda sign pacer Dilhara Fernando

VADODARA: The Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) has armed itself with two deadly pacers who have ability to wreck havoc on the opposition batsmen. The association has roped in Sri Lanka pacer Dilhara Fernando and fast bowler Munaf Patel for the upcoming Ranji tournament.
Fernando has been hired in the category of foreign players wherein every cricketing association has been allowed to have one international player in their Ranji team.
Fernando has given his nod to BCA through a fax on Monday, said BCA officials. "We had approached Fernando along with other Sri Lanka players. Fernando replied positively and agreed to come and play for Baroda Ranji team. We are yet to work out on the nitty-gritties of the contract and issues related to fees," said BCA secretary Samarjitsinh Gaekwad.
Fernando is being considered as a prize catch as he is one of the most experienced fast bowlers in Sri Lanka. He has played 30 Test matches and 128 One-day Internationals till date. While he has taken 84 wickets in Test matches, the figure of scalps for ODIs is 163.
He made his debut for Sri Lanka Test team in the year 2000 and clocked above 90 miles per hour in the past. Sources in BCA hinted that Fernando might be paid the same fees as is paid to any other Ranji player. Since 2005-06, BCCI has been paying players Rs one lakh for a five-day match in Ranji tournament.
Munaf Patel's inclusion came as a surprise as he had been representing Maharashtra Ranji team for last three years. "Our wickets support fast bowlers and hence we were looking for a pace bowler. Fernando and Munaf's presence will help us a lot and our youngsters too will learn a lot from them," said a senior BCA official.
Sources said that Munaf decided to play for Baroda owing to its proximity to his hometown Ikhar in the Bharuch district.
The other two 'guest' players to be included in the team are off-spinner Rajesh Pawar and batsman Azhar Bilakhia.
The BCA submitted its list of foreign and guest players to the BCCI on Monday which was the last day for submitting the list.