9 facts about Parvez Rasool: The fabulous cricketer from J&K

Parvez Rasool is the biggest and perhaps the most famous name to come from the serene valleys of Jammu and Kashmir. The legendary Bishen Singh Bedi describes the cricketer as a classical off-spinner with the vintage loop and drift. Rasool had always considered himself a batsman who could bowl a bit but it was his bowling abilities which kept him in the attention. Rasool’s role in bringing the Jammu and Kashmir cricket under limelight cannot be overlooked. The all-rounder is an ace cricketer and a natural leader who brought recognition to his team. Rasool’s career never took off but his contribution for the Jammu & Kashmir cricket as a player will always be respected.

1.Born On:

Parvez Ghulam Rasool Zargar was born on 13 February 1989 in Bijbehara of Anantnag district in the militancy-torn valley, Jammu and Kashmir.

2. Cricketing family:

Cricket runs in Rasool’s veins; his father and brother have played for the state. His elder brother Asif had played two T20s for J&K in 2009, and his father opened the batting for Anantnag.

3. Early years:

His coach there was Abdul Qayoom who has played first-class cricket for Jammu and Kashmir. Qayoom, who had played with Nikhil Chopra and Harbhajan Singh for Air India taught Rasool the basics. Rasool, a keen learner, later self-taught himself with the help of YouTube videos. Later, Rasool went on to represent the state right from the Under-14s level.

4. First Class Debut:

Rasool made his first-class debut for J&K in the 2008-09 season. He played against Delhi in the North Zone match. He took only a single wicket which was of Virat Kohli.

5. Skippers his State:

Rasool is the captain of the Jammu and Kashmir team and has led the traditionally weaker team to the quarter-final of the Ranji trophy in the 2013/14 season after a gap of 10 years.

6. J&K’s finest cricketer:

Rasool was the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to have played in the IPL.

7. First Break:

Rasool received his maiden call-up for the national team in 2013 for the Zimbabwe tour. He became the second cricketer after Vivek Razdan from Jammu and Kashmir to get selected for the national side, but did not play any game on that tour. Rasool finally represented the national team against Bangladesh on 15 June 2014 at Mirpur. He took 2/60 in that match.

8. Team played for:

Apart from been a vital member of the Jammu & Kashmir team, Rasool has played for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and Pune Warriors. he also regularly features in the India A side.

9. A victim of a wrong suspicion:

During 2009 Champions League Twenty20, Rasool was detained by the police in Bangalore in connection with a suspected presence of traces of explosives in his bag. He objected to the checking of his bag by sniffer dogs at his hotel. After questioning, the police learned that his resistance was only due to the presence Quran and a prayer mat in the bag. Rasool had come to Bangalore as a part of the Jammu and Kashmir Under-22 team playing in the CK Nayudu Trophy, and was staying at the KSCA’s residential complex which was a few yards away from the Chinnaswamy Stadium. Rasool was released by the police after a few hours as no incriminating evidence was found.