Ace cricketer Irfan Pathan who recently joined J&K as mentor-cum-coach will start his stint in Jammu and Kashmir cricket with the provincial level talent hunt camp which is going to be held on Thursday and Friday at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium here.
The Baroda-based cricketer had last month joined J&K team as mentor cum player. During the unveiling ceremony held, Irfan Pathan had pledged that he will work at grassroot level to unearth the hidden cricketing talent of State.
Turning his words into action, Irfan Pathan formally arrived in Kashmir on June 22 and is going to start his stint with the provincial level talent hunt for the Under-14, 16, 19 and 23 level cricketers at cricket stadium on Thursday and Friday.
JKCA on Tuesday started selection trials in North Kashmir, South Kashmir and Central Kashmir. For the trials all shortlisted cricketers from U-14 to 23 age groups who had taken part in JKCA district level cricket events were called. Selectors also called for trials the exceptional talent and the players who were not able to represent any club during the district level events.
During the trials selectors who are all former Ranji trophy cricketers would shortlist atleast eight players in each age group in each zone. The shortlisted players will then join the two-day talent hunt camp at Sheri-Kashmir cricket stadium that would be held under Irfan Pathan.
“The process has started and we are happy that Irfan turned his words into action by joining JKCA four months in advance before start of the national season. During the time he will monitor various coaching camps in various age groups,” said JKCA official.
One of the selectors who was given charge of North Kashmir is known cricketer of J&K, Abdul Qayoom Bagaw said that around 200 cricketers were called in for trials held at Degree College Baramulla on Tuesday.
In South Kashmir selection process started on Tuesday at Government Higher Secondary School Bijbehara while as in Central Kashmir it was held at Green Park Sozeith Budgam.