In the aftermath of the hanging of militant Afzal Guru by the government of India, a cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir – Parvez Rasool is allegedly being fast-tracked into the national cricket team. Mohammad Afzal Guru was known in the Kashmir Valley and was hung for his 2001 attack on the Indian Parliament. With goodwill for the government not very high in the Valley at the moment, Rasool’s inclusion in the Indian cricket team might be just what the doctor ordered.
Cricket is a very popular sport in Kashmir and the 24-year-old Rasool from Bijbehara in Anantnag district has been in the news of late. The young off-spinner took 7 wickets for 45 runs in a recent match for the Board President’s XI against the touring Australian team.
Rajeev Shukla, who is a senior official with the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) had this to say about Rasool, “We have always wanted Jammu & Kashmir cricket to be promoted. The official policy of the government has always been to promote sports in the region.”
The push for Rasool comes on the heels of Ishfaq Ahmed and Mehrajuddin Wadoo getting a chance to play football for India. Financially, the young off-spinner may also benefit in the near future, with Indian Premier League team Pune Warriors showing keen interest in him as well.
