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Manzoor Pandav’s selection to IPL big boost: Parvez Rasool

LocalManzoor Pandav's selection to IPL big boost: Parvez Rasool

Hyderabad: Parvez Rasool has been a role model for many aspiring young cricketers in Jammu & Kashmir. He became the first cricketer from the State to play for the country. The 28-year-old all-rounder feels things are changing for good in Jammu & Kashmir cricket.parpandav copy

All these years, according to Rasool, J&K cricket suffered because of poor administration. “Now, we have seen some changes. There are open trials and there is a bit of fair selection. The under-22 team reached the quarterfinals and they beat teams like Mumbai, Punjab and Delhi. There is a ray of hope. We also won two matches in T20. Things are looking better for J&K cricket,’’ said Rasool as his team plays its match in the ongoing Group D Vijay Hazare one-day tournament on Tuesday.

J&K cricket was in the news when Manzoor Dar from Bandipora was brought by Kings XI, Punjab in the IPL auction. “There was a lot of excitement in the State. He hails from a poor family. He is a son of a labourer. His selection to IPL is a big boost to J&K cricket. It is a positive message that if you work hard, you will get the results. What I like is that despite the facilities being very poor Dar worked his way to the top.’’

Rasool blamed the previous administrators for not improving the facilities. “There are hardly any facilities in our State. For instance, we feel so nice to have 20 nets at Gymkhana here and if only if we have these kinds of facilities, I’m sure we can have some exciting cricketers. The boys work very hard but unfortunately they did not get the necessary support in the past. We have some natural talent in the State. If groomed properly, there can be many good cricketers like Dar .’’

Rasool is pinning hopes on the Committee of Administrators in BCCI to improve the facilities in the State. “In 2014 I played for India and that time I felt I would be an inspiration to J&K. But unfortunately, nothing happened. I was very disappointed.’’

He said he was confident of Dar getting an IPL contract. “He is good and one of the powerful hitters of the ball, which is ideally suited to the shorter format of the game. He is known as Pandav, known as strong guy in local cricket. If he gets a chance to play for Kings XI, Punjab, he can be dangerous with the bat. He has to enjoy the game. Dar can learn the game as he gets to interact with big players like Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, Ashwin and many others. He is just two seasons old and has already made a big impression in the State.

“I have told him to enjoy the game and he should take his chances. See how the players play and approach the game.’’

On his comeback, he says that there is a lot of competition for a place in the Indian team. “To be selected in 15 is a big achievement. I was lucky to make a comeback twice. It needs a lot of hard work to break into the team. Even a player like Ravichandran Ashwin doesn’t find a place in the one-day team. Now with Yuzvendra Chahal and Kuldeep Yadav doing extremely well, it is all about high-class performance that will matter. We have to perform,’’ said Rasool, who was part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad team for two seasons.

(Courtesy: TT)

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