The former team India all-rounder Irfan Pathan is back in Kashmir with J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) to resume his role of mentoring the J&K cricketers.
Pathan, who last year discharged the role of J&K cricket team’s player-cum-mentor, would be only playing the role of mentor this season. After being away for the off-season, Pathan is back on his job of mentoring the budding cricketers of the J&K State.
Upon his arrival Pathan wasted no time, and directly joined the ongoing correction camp of top J&K cricketers who underwent Yo-Yo fitness test on July 29. The test was held under the supervision of former team India trainer Sudarshan V P, J&K coach Milap Mewada and Pathan himself and both officials as well as players looked happy to be part of the camp started well in time this season.
Taking his time off from the ongoing camp and talking on the various issues pertaining to J&K cricket, Irfan Pathan while talking to leading daily of Kashmir, Greater Kashmir said that he is focused on his job of guiding J&K cricketers and has no time for controversies.
“The process has started, players are been given the facilities and training that they need. The players are enjoying it and we are seeing the positive outcomes. Whether I am here or not, the process will go on. It is neither about Irfan Pathan nor JKCA, it is all about J&K cricket and cricketers,” Pathan said.
“Last year we witnessed a number of positive developments. First time in the history of JKCA so many youngsters in all age groups were called for National Cricket Academy (NCA) and zonal camps in a single year. From Under-16 to under-19 agre groups, we saw youngsters with lot of potential getting into eyes of the national selectors and called up for camps. We saw Rasikh playing in IPL and Qamran Iqbal for Under-19 India team,” he said.
Pathan said that his job to is to guide and make sure that players reach their potential and give out their best.
“There are a lot of positive things happening in J&K cricket. My job is to guide and make sure players reach upto their pure potential. If I am successful in that, I consider my job is done .From here on, I have to make sure that I share my experience with the boys, spread the positivity as much as possible and want players to play a good quality cricket as a team,” Pathan elaborated.
“My aim is to contribute to J&K cricket. I am focused on my job and don’t want to waste time on unwanted things or any kind of controversy,” he added.
This article first appeared in Greater Kashmir and has been reproduced here with the permission.