Interesting Facts, Trivia About 'Ikhar Express' Munaf Patel

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Munaf Patel, who celebrates his birthday on 12th July, was one of the fastest bowlers in India at one point in time. The two-time world cup winner's career was full of highs and lows, which eventually got cut short due to injuries. 

Here are a few interesting facts, trivia about Munaf Patel: 

1) Patel was born in 1983 in the village of Ikhar, Gujarat, where not more than 10000 people reside. 

2) Patel belonged to a poor family because of which he had to quit playing cricket in his ninth class. During vacations, he used work in a tile factory where he would get Rs 35 per day for an eight-hour shift. 

3) Munaf Patel credits 'Yusuf Bhai' - a person from his locality, who took him to Baroda, bought him shoes, and enrolled the young fast bowler in a cricket club.

4) The 20-year-old Munaf got spotted by Kiran More in his coaching academy. The raw pace of the youngster impressed the former wicket-keeper and he sent Patel to MRF Pace Foundation in Chennai. 

5) While in Chennai, Munaf grabbed the attention of Australia's Steve Waugh and Dennis Lillee. 

6) Sachin Tendulkar was mighty impressed by Munaf Patel. Tendulkar had Patel sign a contract to play for Mumbai in Ranji Trophy. The fast bowler, who had never bowled for his home state - Gujarat, made his Ranji debut for Mumbai in late 2003. 

7) In 2004, Munaf Patel was sent to the Australian Institute of Sport for biomechanical analysis to improve his efficiency.  

8) Munaf eventually made his test debut in 2006 against England in Mohali. He finished the game with the figures of 7/97. 

9) Munaf was the third-highest wicket-taker in India's successful 2011 World Cup campaign with 11 wickets. Patel was also part of the 2007 T20 World Cup team. 

10) Munaf Patel played 70 ODIs in which he took 86 wickets. In 69 first-class matches, Munaf took 192 wickets. His tally of 142 scalps in List-A cricket comes in 144 matches.