Srinagar, Feb 10: Angered by his exclusion from the team, former captain of JK Cricket team, Abid Nabi Friday alleged that team coach and former international cricketer Bishen Singh Bedi, was creating groups in the JK Cricket Association (JKCA) and team so that his poor performance as coach isn’t noticed.
 “I don’t know on what basis I have been dropped. If the recent performance in Ranji trophy and T-20 event is the base for selection then I have done better than other players. In the four Ranji matches I took seven wickets and scored 140 odd runs which included four wicket spell while in four T-20 matches I took five wickets and scored 90 runs,” Abid told Greater Kashmir.
 “Only last year I took 24 wickets in Ranji trophy five matches and also broke long standing fastest 100 wickets in Ranji trophy set by former cricket great Kapil Dev. He had taken 100 wickets in 23 matches and I also did in same number of matches but took six innings less than him to achieve milestone. Instead of felicitating me for the milestone, I have been gifted with axing from the team,” he wondered.
 Abid claimed he was certain that performance wasn’t the base for his exclusion. “I was dropped because I didn’t help him (Bedi) in his divisive politics. I along with Obaid and Adil Reshi refused to sign letter against our team manager Idrees Gandroo. I think he singled me out because of that,” he claimed.
 Abid alleged that since his arrival in JK as chief coach, Bedi has been doing everything to create factions in team and the JKCA.
 “Since his arrival performance of the team has declined. Seeing his feet tumbling the former cricket great has indulged in creating factions in the team and the JKCA. With that he has been able to draw the attention of most of the JKCA officials and players away from the JK team performance in Ranji Trophy and T-20 national event,” Abid alleged
 Echoing Abid’s views, promising under-22 batsman Owais Shah said, “I am devastated by not finding place in one day tournament despite being second highest run getter for JK under-22 team this season. Selectors headed by Bedi excluding me have included all the top six performers from under-22 side in the team.”
 Owais said that when Bedi assumed charge of JK senior and under-22 team he made it clear that performance will be basis of selection “but his acts differentiate from his words.”
 Both the cricketers appealed JKCA President, Dr Farooq to come forward and save JK cricket.
 “We have pinned all our hopes on Dr Farooq and only he can save JK cricket from devastation. He is the person who has given Bedi powers and only he can check him out. We are not against Bedi but he should be focussed on cricket rather than politics hence Dr Farooq is the only person who can teach him (Bedi) that,” they added.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST