Parveez Rasool might have just played a solitary game in both one-day (2014) and T20s (2017) for India, but his journey there has been remarkable. He broke down barriers to became the first player from Jammu and Kashmir to play for the country.
But from those heights — including a couple of decent seasons in the IPL — Rasool’s career has hit a roadblock in recent times, especially after going unsold in the last edition of the T20 tournament.
The all-rounder, however, has not stayed low despite the IPL snub, using the time to play List A cricket in Bangladesh. “I have learned a lot playing in Bangladesh. You get to bowl against quality batsmen and improve your game,” said Rasool.
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He added, “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.”
Playing in the Duleep Trophy here, Rasool finished with match figures of seven for 166, including a four-wicket haul in the first innings as he aims to script a comeback.
Speaking after the third day’s play, Rasool said, “In the last two years, I took 70-odd wickets and scored 1150 runs in 13 games. It is disappointing to miss out on IPL.”
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In 2014, J&K stunned domestic giants Mumbai in Mumbai but has since failed to build on that momentum.
The association has also been engulfed in corruption scandal before the Committee of Administrators stepped in.
Rasool feels the lack of preparations has hurt the team and hopes this year will be better especially with former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan joining as 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. ”
Rasool hopes the upcoming season could herald good times both for his side and himself personally.