We are not scared of any opponent, says J&K skipper Rasool

January 3, 2014

JK_skipper_Rasool

Pune, Jan 3: He has led from the front when it mattered the most and Jammu and Kashmir skipper Perveez Rasool says his team's historic feat of reaching the quarter finals of the Ranji Trophy was a "special one" and will motivate the players more.

"I can't explain you my feeling at the moment. We are among the top eight states in Ranji Trophy. The boys are just itching to meet Punjab and let me tell you that we are not scared of any opponents although they have Yuvraj Singh and Harbhajan Singh in their ranks. We are ready for a fight," Rasool said over phone from Agartala.

For Rasool, the qualification for the quarter-final and the fact that they will be playing in 'B' group was a "matter of pride".

"This performance promotes us to B group next year in which we will be locking horns with the teams which were in 'Elite' group earlier. This means that we would need to work even harder as a team. From here, the challenge to elevate ourselves to the next level starts," says Jammu and Kashmir's first international cricketer.

Rasool played a stellar role in Jammu and Kashmir's qualification as he first scored 83 to get the first innings lead and then ran through the Tripura line-up to take seven wickets which ensured that they enjoyed a better run quotient of (+1.006) than third placed Goa (+1.005).

"As a captain, it is my duty to perform in crunch situation. I am happy that I could peak at the right time," said 24-year-old Rasool, who has taken 21 wickets and scored 550 runs in the current season.

Asked about the run quotient, Rasool laughed: "You can't believe that I was sitting with a pen and paper and doing all sorts of calculations about how we can qualify for the knock-outs. I was doing all sorts of permutations about what score we can get Tripura out. I am happy that our plans worked well today," Rasool said.

For Rasool, the team has some quality players, who need more exposure at the top level as they have the ingredients to get better.

"This is a team which thrived on enjoying each other's performance. I have got a taste of top level cricket by playing for India A and IPl and sharing the Indian dressing room. We have players like Adil (Rishi), Hardeep (Singh) and Bandeep (Singh), who have all done well. The pacers Samiuallah Beigh and Mohammed Mudhasir have bowled their hearts out," the skipper said.

"Considering other state associations, we don't even get 15 percent of those facilities. This speaks of the volumes of determination that these boys have showed in reaching this level. The quality of cricket at the first-class level has gone up and to measure up you need the best infrastructure," Rasool explained.

For him, these Jammu and Kashmir boys have done it because they are passionate about the game more than monitary gains. Jammu and Kashmir players' match fees are blocked because there is inquiry going on in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association regarding a financial bungle. Subsequently BCCI has blocked the money pending inquiry.

"You know, we haven't got any match fees for the last two years. But none of the players have ever complained although cricket is our livelihood. I believe this is the dedication, determination and discipline that has made us believe that we can beat any team," Rasool concluded.

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News Network
June 10,2020

Kingston, Jun 10: "Enough is enough", said West Indies all-rounder Dwayne Bravo as he opened up on the raging issue of racism and called for "respect and equality" for black people, who have faced discrimination for years.

Bravo joined the likes of his former captain Darren Sammy and Chris Gayle in denouncing racism in the wake of African-American George Floyd's killing at the hands of a white police officer in the USA.

"It's sad to see what's going on around the world. As a black man, we know the history of what black people have been through. We never ask for revenge, we ask for equality and respect. That's it," Bravo told former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa in an Instagram live chat on Tuesday.

"We give respect to others. Why is it that we are facing this over and over? Now enough is enough. We just want equality. We don't want revenge, war.

"We just want respect. We share love and appreciate people for who they are. That's what is most important."

The 36-year-old, who has played 40 Tests, 164 ODIs and 71 T20Is for West Indies, said he wants the world to know that they are powerful and beautiful people and gave the example of greats such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan.

"I just want our brothers and sisters to know that we are powerful and beautiful. And at the end of the day, you look at some of the greats of the world, whether it is Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan we have had leaders who paved the way for us," he said.

Two-time T20 World Cup-winning captain Sammy had earlier alleged that a racist nickname was used to address him during his IPL stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad and demanded an apology.

Sammy said he was called 'Kalu' while he was in India. 'Kalu' is a derogatory word to describe black people.

Gayle, who too plays in the IPL, took to Twitter to back Sammy, saying that racism does exist in cricket.

"It's never too late to fight for the right cause or what you've experienced over the years! So much more to your story, @darensammy88. Like I said, it's in the game!!," Gayle tweeted.

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Agencies
May 31,2020

London, May 31: "Jacques Kallis, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli," replied umpire Ian Gould when he was asked to name the three best batsmen he loved watching when he was officiating as an umpire.

The former ICC elite umpire said that he was unlucky to not watch Ponting bat as much as he would have liked to.

"Jacques Kallis. I loved watching Jacques. He was a very, very fine player. Sachin. And probably Virat. I was unlucky in some respects. I didn't see the best of Ricky Ponting. He was an outstanding character, outstanding captain, such a proud Australian," ESPNCricinfo quoted Gould as saying.

"But his career was just starting to wane as I came on the scene. But he was incredibly helpful, so I'm disappointed I have to leave him out. Jacques Kallis, I could sit and watch all day, Virat, the same. And Sachin, if you want someone to bat for your life, he was the man," he added.

Gould had retired from the ICC's panel of elite umpires in 2019, after standing in more than 250 international matches over a 13-year career.

Over the years, comparisons between Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar have been growing and many have picked the current Indian skipper to break the records set by Tendulkar.

Tendulkar called time on his career after registering 100 international centuries, while Kohli has 70 centuries across all formats.

While, Kallis played 166 Tests, 328 ODIs and 25 T20Is for South Africa and he is often viewed as the greatest all-rounder the game has seen.

Many pundits of the game find it hard to pick between him and Sir Garfield Sobers.

Across his career, Kallis scored 25,534 runs in his career and he also managed to take 577 wickets.

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News Network
February 29,2020

Feb 29: India were all out for 242 in their first innings following a stunning battling collapse, triggered by paceman Kyle Jamieson on the opening day of the second cricket Test against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, here on Saturday.

India were steady at 194 for five at tea but lost wickets in quick succession after the play resumed. Jamieson returned figures of 14-3-45-5.

Hanuma Vihari top-scored for India with his combative 55 while Prithvi Shaw (54) and Cheteshwar Pujara (54) hit contrasting half-centuries.

Virat Kohli's (3) poor run continued while his deputy Ajikya Rahane (7) also fell cheaply.

India lost last five wickets for 48 runs, of which 26 were contributed by last-wicket pair of Mohammed Shami (16) and Jasprit Bumrah (10).

Brief Scores:

India 1st innings: 242 all out in 63 overs. (H Vihari 55, P Shaw 54, C Pujara 54 batting; Kyle Jamieson 5/45, Tim Southee 2/38, ).

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