South Kashmir cricketer Parvez Rasool on Tuesday said he would have performed better if the state had the right cricket infrastructure. However, he asserted that things had started to improve as the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) was on job to groom players from the grass-roots.
“I could have performed better, but I stayed back due to a few things. I did not get the required infrastructure here as there were no turf wickets then. Whatever facilities are available outside, we do not even have five percent of it. The JKCA for the first time in J&K’s history organised a district tournament last year that saw the participation of 1,300 teams. This year, 1,600 teams will participate… now, selectors are going to the districts instead of players coming to Srinagar.
We got a fast bowler from Kupwara and we discovered talent from remote areas of Pulwama and Kulgam districts. Even from Ladakh, we have selected two to four boys who could represent the state if properly trained,” Rasool said while addressing a press conference here.
In 2013, the cricketer from Bijbehara in Anantnag district — the hotbed of new-age militancy — was included in the Indian team for Zimbabwe. However, Parvez made his one-day debut against Bangladesh in 2014. He also represented Pune Warriors and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League.
He said five more turf pitches were coming up in near future.
