Bijbehara, Jan 5: With 23-year old cricketer Parvez Rasool from this Chinar town of South Kashmir set to represent India-A for a warm-up match against England in Delhi on Sunday, Kashmiris are eagerly waiting for the contest.
The mood in Zargar house and the neighborhood is upbeat with the family and fans of Parvez highly optimistic that he will be given chance in the playing XI.
“It is really a matter of pride for not only the family but entire Kashmir that Parvez is in the 14-member squad of India-A team that will meet an international side,” said Ghulam Rasool Zargar, Parvez’s father who works as a class-IV employee in a public sector department.
He said that he was hopeful that if Parvez is given a chance in the playing XI, he will give his best and make it to the Indian international squad. “Parvez’s hard work has ultimately paid off and with Allah’s blessings the day is not far away when he will make debut for the Indian international team,” said Zargar.
He said that Parvez’s mother passed away when he was very young and despite all odds he has struggled to be here.
Parvez’s elder brother, Asif Rasool, a 27-year old fast bowler has also represented J&K in the Ranji Trophy while his younger brother is in 10th standard and is an excellent cricketer too.
“Asif bowls very fast and is an exceptional talent too. Cricket runs in the genes of the family,” said a neighbor.
Bijbehara town has always produced some quality cricketers who have represented the state.
“Given the exceptional talent the youth of Bijbehara possess, everyone in the town felt that they have not got their due and at least half a dozen cricketers including talented fast bowler Abdul Qayoom, now a cricket coach, should have made to the Indian team,” said Muzaffar Gatoo, representing Bijbehara Sports cricket team.
He, however, hoped that Parvez’s selection would be beginning of a new era for the talented cricketers of the town as well as the valley.
Rasool, who made it to the side with some match-winning performances in this year’s Ranji Trophy, is only the third cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to have achieved the feat.
With a match-winning all round effort of 187 runs and 7 wickets in a single Ranji Trophy match this year, Parvez has been consistently performing for his side.
“With a total of 592 runs and 33 wickets in this year’s Ranji season, he deserved a place in the team and I’m not surprised at all,” said Abdul Qayoom, bowling coach of J&K team and the first Kashmiri cricketer to have been a member of the India-A side.
He said that it’s a moment of pride for the whole of Kashmir and particularly the Bijbehara town.
Rasool made his first class debut in 2008 and since then has piled over a thousand runs, with an average of 38.75 with a highest score of 171, in the 17 matches he has played so far. He has also managed to take 46 wickets in these contests.
Speaking to Greater Kashmir over phone, a jubilant Parvez Rasool expressed gratitude to his well wishers without whom, he says, the achievement would have been impossible.
“I wish that this be a stepping stone not only for me but all the budding cricketers of the valley. There is immense talent in the valley and hopefully my selection will prove to be the opening of opportunities for them,” said Rasool, who is hopeful for an IPL stint this year.
Parvez had first grabbed headlines in 2009 when he was detained by police in Chennai after discovery of explosives at Chinnaswamy Stadium where the J&K team was staying. However he was given a clean chit following the forensic reports proving his innocence.
“I have taken that unfortunate episode in a very positive stride and in a way it has helped me to raise my mental strength as a cricketer,” said Parvez.
He says that all he is focusing on right now is cricket and the opportunity that has been provided to him. “I want to make the most of it and make Kashmir proud,” he said.
Rasool will be rubbing shoulders with players like S Sreesanth and Murali Vijay, who have already represented Indian cricket team.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 5 Jan 2013 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 5 Jan 2013 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 6 Jan 2013 00:00:00 IST