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.
Opportunity for everyone to impress IPL teams: Parvez Rasool
After having missed to be part of the last seasons IPL T20, J&K skipper and only International cricketer Parvez Rasool is hopeful of making it to this season’s event.
“Not only for me but it is opportunity for all players to impress IPL selectors. BCCI brought the event forward as they wanted to give chance to domestic players to impress selectors with their performance,” he said
“I have strong belief that your performance counts and selectors keep close eye on all performances. If you do well you will surely get chance to be part of the teams. We have got some of the highly talented players who can get into the eyes of IPL selectors before auction. All they have to do is to perform extremely well,” he said.
About his own chances, he said, “Like other players I too have to perform well in order to get noticed. I have been looking forward to this event and I am hopeful of doing well and getting back into IPL. After missing last season’s IPL, I went to Bangladesh to play in domestic league there which was very good experience. I did well there against quality bowling and that has boosted my confidence”.
Pandav targets IPL
Local hard hitting cricket sensation of Kashmir has said that his target is to get selected into IPL team. “I am targeting IPL. Let us see how it goes,” Pandav told Delhi based news channel.
Pandav is local cricket sensation in Kashmir for his explosive hitting and last year during his debut for J&K he played some crucial cameos for team. His performance also earned him place in North Zone T20 team.
Asked about the Pandav’s chances for making into IPL, Parvez said, “There is no doubt about his power hitting. He hits huge sixes and on his day he can run away with the match single handedly. Last year he did well but to get into eyes of IPL selectors he needs to make big scores not just 30’s or 40’s. I hope he does that as that will be good our team as well”.