Rasool is eagerly awaiting his opportunity to play alongside Clarke
Jammu and Kashmir all-rounder Parvez Rasool has become the first player from the region to be given an Indian Premier League (IPL) contract after he signed with the Pune Warriors.
Rasool, who has been turning a lot of heads recently, especially with his outstanding performance for the Board President’s XI, where he snapped up seven Australian wickets, was being offered contracts by at least three IPL franchises.
“A few franchises approached me but it was Pune who approached me first,” Rasool told PTI. “So it was an ethical decision to join them as they had shown interest much before the Australia match happened. I am very excited and it is an honour to play in the IPL and become the first cricketer from the valley to achieve this feat.”
According to numerous IPL sources, the Kings XI Punjab were one of the other franchises also hoping to acquire the services of Rasool.
Due to the fact that Rasool is an uncapped player, his IPL contract will be worth Rs 20 lakh.
“Parvez is an asset for us,” a Pune Warriors official said. “He is a capable all-rounder and since we can have only four foreigners, his batting and off-break bowling makes him a good choice in the playing XI.
“Also the kind of exposure that he will be getting interacting with international cricketers will be phenomenal. Trust me, he can be a good player in the longer version too.”
However, one of the reasons Rasool decided to sign with the Warriors was the fact that he would be able to play alongside Australia captain Michael Clarke.
“It is a dream come true for me that I will be interacting with Michael Clarke,” Rasool said. “Also having Yuvi Paaji (Yuvraj Singh) will be a bonus. I have just started my journey in top-flight cricket and this stint with Pune will only help me grow. I hope that I will be able soak in all the information that I can get from our coach Allan Donald.”
Rasool also believes that he has proven the fact that cricketers from smaller states can go on to play on the big stage as well.
“I would like to convey a small message for all my well-wishers in Jammu and Kashmir,” Rasool added. “I would like to tell them that it was not only talent but hardwork that has helped me realise my dream. I believe, parents would now believe that someone can make a decent career out of cricket even from our state.”