Parvez Rasool hopes for the best, despite poor state of affair in the valley

Parvez Rasool has been a consistent performer in the domestic circuit, with both his batting and bowling in the Ranji Trophy. The skipper of the unstable Jammu and Kashmir side, Rasool literally performs the balancing act in the team.

The group of players under Rasool have been hit by instability in the state association. In a way, the all-rounder is the only hope of light in an otherwise dull and dark tunnel for the state cricket team. Rasool has already proved what he is capable of in the last Ranji Trophy season, where he scored 617 runs picking up crucial wickets right through.

The offie’s six-wicket haul against Kerala in the first innings at the KCA-St Xavier’s College Ground in Thumba has taken his season tally to 15 wickets. However, it was not enough to stop the home side from taking the lead in the first innings.

“The idea is to give 100 per cent in every match, be it as a bowler, batsman or a senior member of the team. I know that the youngsters in the side are looking at me as role model. So I have to do this,” Rasool told Express on Thursday. “I am giving my best day in, day out,” the off-spinner said.

Financial disability

Financial misappropriation meant that the State cricket’s bank account was frozen and no funds were allocated to the state under orders from the Lodha Committee. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association is currently in a turmoil, and the situation might change shortly.

“For the last three to four years, I hoped that the situation would change but it hasn’t. I hope it will in the near future,” he said. “There is nothing in Jammu and Kashmir, no grounds, no association. If you look at our team, these boys have performed as good as you can get out of them,” Rasool added.

Things not in place

Further, the all-rounder talked about the team’s performance against Kerala and Rajasthan, while playing most of their matches away from home from the last three seasons.

“To restrict Kerala to 219 and to score 400-plus against Rajasthan is no mean feat. We haven’t played a home game for the last three seasons. It’s very difficult for us and a huge challenge. But these things are not in our hands and we can only do what we can, that is to play and give our it our best,” he concluded.