*Earns praise from legendary Gavaskar
PUNE/SRINAGAR, May 10: Parvez Rasool, who became the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the Indian Premier League, has called his debut for Pune Warriors the “proudest day” of his life even though the team ended up on the losing side.
“This is the proudest day of my life. And the whole of Jammu and Kashmir was watching the match and I am proud of that. I feel really great. First of all, thanks to Almighty Allah, I have made it this far. It feels really nice to get an opportunity in the IPL and to be able to perform at this level,” Rasool said.
Rasool replaced leg-spinner Rahul Sharma to earn his maiden IPL cap.
He dedicated his debut performance against KKR, an economical four-over spell for 23 runs and the prized scalp of Jacques Kallis, to the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and his fans across India.
“Jacques Kallis is definitely a legend; the best all-rounder in cricket. So, it felt really good to get his wicket. Kallis’ wicket was something truly special for me,” he added.
The off-spinner said he was nervous initially but Yuvraj Singh helped soothe his fraying nerves.
“Yes, the first couple of balls I was nervous. Then Yuvi
Paaji (Yuvraj Singh) came over to me and helped me settle down.
Rasool said he considers himself a bowling all-rounder.
“Currently, I consider myself a bowling all-rounder. But when I started out, I was a batting all-rounder. However, I bat well too.
“But it depends on the chances I get to bat. I did get to face a few balls (against KKR), and it felt good to be out there in the middle. I will surely rise up to the batting challenge as well when I get a chance,” he said.
Rasool said his ultimate target is to don the national colours one day.
“Now my goal is to ensure I play well in every match I get to play. I want to do well for the team and for myself. I hope I play well enough to play for India some day.”
The unassuming player from the valley shot to limelight with a seven-wicket haul against the visiting Australians while playing for the Board President’s XI earlier this year.
Rasool, a day ahead of his 24th birthday, spun a web around the Aussies with impressive figures of seven for 45 for the Board President’s XI on a pitch that offered the slow bowlers assistance.
Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today lavished praise on Parvez Rasool for making an impressive debut in the cash-rich Indian Premier League.
“Well done Parvez Rasool. Great name for your first scalp,” the CM wrote on his twitter page referring to Rasool’s maiden IPL scalp Jacques Kallis during Pune Warriors’ match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Rasool bowled four tight overs off-breaks as he had impressive figures of 1/23 to show for his efforts.
“Finally Parvez Rasool gets a game in the 2013 IPL. Come on Parvez make us proud. Good luck,” the Chief Minister had tweeted before the start of play.
Rasool also earned praise from the legendary Sunil Gavaskar who said the young player has a good temperament and can succeed at the top level.
Gavaskar, one of the commentators in the high-profile Indian Premier League, said he was impressed by Rasool’s willingness to flight the ball even in the T20 format.
“What I like about him is that he is willing to flight the ball. Even when he went for some runs, he was not afraid to flight the ball”, Gavaskar said. (PTI)
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