After months of uncertainty, the air was cleared on Friday as international cricketer Irfan Pathan officially joined Jammu and Kashmir cricket team as mentor cum player at Sher-i-Kashmir International Cricket Stadium, Sonwar, here.
The junior Pathan who used to play for Baroda in Ranji circuit will next year play for J&K as mentor cum player.
Apart from that he will also be holding coaching clinics in various parts of J&K for the development of the game.
The star cricketer who has been roped in by J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) Administrators and JKCA CEO Syed Ashquie Hussain Bukhari for the initial one year term held interaction with the young budding cricketers at the stadium upon his maiden visit to Kashmir.
On the occasion, Pathan suggested youngsters to work hard on their game in order to achieve their dream of reaching higher level.
“I am here for you and I will go into every district of the State to unearth the hidden talent. My job here is to help develop J&K cricket as mentor cum player. You should always remember one thing and it is most important suggestion from me to you. Always play with winning attitude and try to help your team win in whatever capacity you can. It is not only about big hundreds and number of wickets, even small help team win,” Pathan told youngsters.
He said that he is in J&K for one year term and they have started the planning to develop cricket in State.
“We have already started to work on the plan and soon we will set that in motion. J&K has got the talent and need is to give them platform and chance to excel. Idea is to work along with senior players of State to make plan successful,” he said.