India and Jammu and Kashmir cricketer Parvez Rasool blasted the lack of infrastructure in the region, and threatened to play for a different state in the domestic circuit if the situation persisted, reported PTI.
“Yes, I am the pride of Jammu and Kashmir. Youngsters get inspired from me. But things have not improved over the years. I am in national reckoning. If things don’t change, I may have to think about other options like playing for a different state,” Rasool said referring to the infrastructure in the state.
Rasool is the first player from the valley to go on to play for India, and earn an Indian Premier League contract. Citing the example of the lavish facilities at Kalyani, Kolkata, the 27-year-old talked about the deplorable state of affairs at home,
“We lack facilities. We just have two wickets in entire Jammu and Kashmir – one in Jammu and another in Kashmir 300 kilometres apart. Players will obviously suffer. When I was included in Team India, I thought our problems will be over. Look at the environment in Kalyani. There are so many nets here. Here you can enjoy cricket,” Rasool added.
The off-spinner, though, harbours hopes of the situation improving under the Supreme Court-ordered four-member Committee of Administrators, “But back home, infrastructure is almost nil. There’s talent definitely. But nothing has changed. Worst things happening. Hope the Supreme Court-appointed Committee of Administrators improves the conditions,” Rasool said.
He also opened up on how switching to a different state crossed his mind, “Cricket must go on. There’s politics everywhere but cricket does not suffer. There’s infrastructure, coaches and facility. I’m thinking of quitting but it’s at an early stage and there’s nothing official as yet,” Rasool added.
As a parting shot, he also lambasted the administrators ruling the game in Kashmir, “Non-cricketers are ruling the association without any knowledge of the game. If your team does well your chances of representing India also improves. We have huge potential but our problems not helping the situation,” Rasool said.