Back in 2014, off-spinner Parvez Rasool had broken the stereotype when he became the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to play for India. However, things didn’t go as per the plan thereafter for Rasool as he featured in only two international matches for India and went unsold in the last edition of the IPL.
It was certainly a tough time for Rasool but he didn’t bog down and rather utilized the time to hone his skills by playing List A cricket in Bangladesh. Rasool recently revealed how Bangladesh experience helped him grow as a cricketer.
“I have learned a lot playing in Bangladesh. You get to bowl against quality batsmen and improve your game,” Rasool quoted as saying by Sportstar.
“My bowling has definitely improved. They take me as a professional so you have to bowl whenever the team is in trouble. I bowl in the first five overs with the new ball and at the death, too, so you get good experience,” he added.
Playing in the Duleep Trophy for India Red against India Blue last week, Parvez Rasool claimed seven wickets in the match. Considering the performances he has put in for the last two years, Rasool is disappointed that none of the IPL franchises bid for him during the auction.
“In the last two years, I took 70-odd wickets and scored 1,150 runs in 13 games. I also won the Lala Amarnath award (best all-rounder in Ranji Trophy) in 2016-17. So it is disappointing to miss out on IPL,” he remarked.
The constant downfall of Jammu and Kashmir cricket hasn’t helped Rasool’s cause either. However, he is hopeful that the things will change after the appointment of India all-rounder Irfan Pathan as a mentor-cum-player.
“For the first time in our history some work is happening and we are actually preparing for a season. I thought when I played for India, some good things will happen. The facilities will improve. But nothing happened, unfortunately. Last year, we reached Jaipur at 11.30 in the night before our first game the following day,” Rasool asserted.
“In the last six months, we had a district tournament for the first time and there were selections in the districts. Irfan Pathan has been there with us since then and there is a good atmosphere for cricket now,” he concluded.
