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Rasool ‘sidelined’ in Zimbabwe, Omar fumes on Twitter
J-K CM lashes out at BCCI as young all-rounder from Valley doesn’t get a chance to play in any ODI
Azhar Qadri
Tribune News Service

Srinagar, August 3
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today lashed out at the BCCI for not fielding all-rounder Parvez Rasool in any of the five ODI games against Zimbabwe. The series ended today with Parvez, whose selection in the national team aroused deep interest in the Valley, not even playing a single game. “Did you really have to take him (Parvez) all the way to Zimbabwe to demoralise him?” Omar wrote today on the micro-blogging site Twitter.

“Wouldn't it have been cheaper to just do it (demoralise Parvez) at home?,” the Chief Minister said.

Earlier on Thursday, the Chief Minister had appealed the BCCI to allow Parvez to be a part of the playing XI so he that could “prove himself”.

“Really disappointed that Rasool hasn't been given a game in Zimbabwe. Come on BCCI give the young man a chance to prove himself,” the Chief Minister had said in his appeal two days ago.

Parvez had created history by becoming the first cricketer from the Valley to be named in the Indian national team. The 24-year-old resident of south Kashmir’s Bijbehara town had been named in the 15-member squad last month for the Zimbabwe tour.

Rasool shot to fame with a brilliant all-round performance in the Ranji Trophy last season by scoring 594 runs and grabbing 33 wickets.

His selection to national squad was fast-tracked after he took seven wickets in one innings of a tour game against visiting Australians earlier this year.