Despite J&K Ranji trophy team being announced and Parvez Rasool being termed as automatic choice as skipper, there is still uncertainty over who will lead JK team.
It is learnt that JKCA selectors while announcing the team made Parvez Rasool as skipper but later J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) put stay on that move and are yet to announce it officially.
“Selectors did make their choice and announced the team. The list was handed over to JKCA officials with Parvez clearly marked as skipper,” said a person who saw the list.
Sources told Greater Kashmir that JKCA under pressure from Coach Mithun Manhas have put a stay on the choice of skipper thus bypassing the selectors.
“Manhas has categorically told JKCA officials that he wouldn’t join team till Parvez is captain,” source said.
When contacted JKCA General Secretary Iqbal Shah was not available for the comment while JKCA Vice-President Javed Kitab said that they are yet to make their decision.
“I have been busy with legal proceedings of Association in the Court. However, everyone will come to know about captain of JK team when team will go in the middle to play its match. Team is scheduled to leave for Jaipur on Thursday and will play its first match against Rajasthan on October 6,” said Kitab.
One of the selectors Arshad Bhat said it is upto working committee of JKCA to decide about the captaincy of team.
“Our role was to select team and that has been announced. About captain it is JKCA that will decide who will lead JK in Ranji trophy,” Arshad said.
Another selector Zahoor Bhat said that he is not authorized to speak with media and can’t say anything about the selection process or captaincy.
However, it is learnt that JKCA has already replaced the choice of selectors that was visible on selection list of selectors.
“JKCA under pressure have already made their choice. They have bypassed selectors and have replaced Parvez with another senior member of the team,” source added.
When contacted Parvez Rasool said, “I have also learnt from various quarters unofficially that I have been replaced. But officially there is no communiqué from JKCA end. I have lead JK Ranji team from last several years and if they want to replace me then they should uniform me well in advance”. (Greater Kashmir)
