In the backdrop of much awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) players auction, J&K cricket team is going to start its T20 campaign of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy against Services at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, New Delhi on Monday.
The team led by Parvez Rasool reached New Delhi on Friday and had couple of training sessions at Kotla stadium on Saturday and Sunday. J&K team was selected by six member selection committee who were appointed by J&K High Court appointed administrators and Chief Executive Officer Syed Ashiq Bukhari.
The tournament was scheduled to be held in February-March but due to the upcoming IPL players auction BCCI preponed the tournament to give IPL teams an overview of domestic talent that would be on display during the tournament across the country.
J&K team comprises of both senior and youngsters. It also includes T20 specialists like Manzoor Dar popularly known as Manzoor Pandav who had done extremely well last year in the event for J&K. It will be golden chance for players like him to impress IPL selectors before the auction.
Last year J&K did really well in this shorter format of the game as they missed qualification into next round by a whisker.
Unlike Ranji trophy season where team reached on the day of the match, this time they have got decent preparation time. The first match of the team is against Services with whom J&K has got fair record.
“To get early momentum we need to win this match against a side like Services. In T20 no one can say anything about the outcome but we still have got the combination that can upset any team,” said a J&K team official.
“We have got pacers, all-rounder, solid opening combination, spinners and as well as power hitters that suits T20 cricket. We had good training session and mood in the camp is excellent. Let’s hope we get to flying start to the T20 campaign,” he added.
J&K will be playing it’s against Services on Monday at 1:30PM while as in its next match will clash with Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday at same venue.