Valley elated as Rasool makes it to T20 squad

Suhail A Shah

Anantnag, January 23

Riding high on the second-best all-round performance in the history of Ranji Trophy, Kashmir’s cricketing star, Parvez Rasool, has been rewarded with a call to the Indian national cricket team’s T20 squad.

The news of Rasool’s selection created quite a buzz on social media in the Kashmir valley while the all-rounder’s well-wishers kept pouring at his home in Bijbehara town to congratulate his family on the feat.

Rasool, soon as the news of his selection was flashed, took to Facebook and posted a quote from Holy Quran, thanking the almighty Allah.

Talking to The Tribune over phone from Jammu, Rasool said he was ecstatic at national selectors reposing their faith in him.

“I have worked really hard after my short stint with the national side in 2013-14. I have been focusing on domestic circuit and have had a really fruitful Ranji season,” Rasool said. He expressed hope that he would be able to deliver and prove the selectors right.

“My family, friends and well-wishers have been a great support all through my career and I believe their prayers have always been with me,” the 27-year-old cricketer said.

Former J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took to microblogging site Twitter to express his happiness and congratulate Rasool.

“Congratulations to Parvez Rasool on being chosen to play for Team India against England in the forthcoming series. Make us proud,” Omar posted on his Twitter handle.

In his home town of Bijbehara in the Anantnag district, people made a beeline at his home to congratulate the Zargar family on Rasool’s selection.

“We are really proud of what Parvez has achieved. He deserves this and much more for his hard work and his immense talent,” said Muzaffar Ahmad, one of the visitor’s at Rasool’s home.

Rasool’s brother Asif Rasool, also a cricketer, said the family had all along believed that Rasool had it in him to make a comeback.

“He had a great season at the domestic circuit and we were really hopeful that he would make a comeback. We have been overwhelmed with the love and affection people in Kashmir have been showering on my brother and our family,” Asif told The Tribune.