J&K Cricket Association has roped in three former cricketers from outside the state to select the J&K Ranji trophy team.
After resignation of members of senior selection committee, JKCA was left without senior selectors for the Vijay Hazare trophy earlier, and till now for the upcoming Ranji Trophy. For the recently concluded Vijay Hazare trophy, JKCA had to depute the same set of players shortlisted earlier by the senior selection committee before their resignation.
Now that the most important campaign of the season – Ranji Trophy (longer format tournament) – is nearing, JKCA has decided to rope in outside cricketers to make the selection.
The new five-member selection committee includes three outside State selectors. The remaining two selectors are from Jammu province. These selectors have already assumed charge and are likely to announce the J&K squad within next couple of days.
Rashid Patel, former India test cricketer who is from Baroda, now living outside the country, has been appointed as the Chairman of the selection committee. While Rizwan Shamshad and Ashish Zaidi, both from Uttar Pradesh, are the other outside state selectors. the remaining two members in the 5-member selection committee are from Jammu province.
While Rashid Patel is a well-respected name, Rizwan and Ashish also have got solid cricketing background behind their back. Rizwan has played 108 first class matches while as Ashish has played 110.
The preparation camp of already 36 shortlisted cricketers is now joined by Samiullah Beigh, Abid Nabi, Ubaid Haroon, Abid Nabi, Imran Haroon, Adil Reshi and junior Under-19 cricketer Qamran Iqbal has started at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium under the eyes of these selectors.
“JKCA has roped in two former cricketers from Uttar Pradesh and one from Baroda. They have arrived in Srinagar and joined two selectors from Jammu province. Rashid Patel has been given charge of the 5-member selection committee,” said JKCA official.
Although JKCA has propagated that these selectors have been deputed by BCCI but sources say these selectors have been chosen in consultation with Irfan Pathan.
“Senior selection committee resigned after alleging interference by Irfan Pathan, who is J&K’s mentor-cum-player. JKCA was already finding itself short of the eligible set of former cricketers who are eligible to act as senior selectors. Though they were granted relaxation by BCCI but the resignation of selectors only multiplied the problems. After waiting for a long time, JKCA at the last moment, have now roped in these selectors,” said sources.
“It is in all likelihood that these selectors would have been roped in through Irfan Pathan or he himself has approached them. One selector is from Pathan’s home cricketing unit Baroda while as other two are from Uttar Pradesh. It looks like they are here only for formality of signing the selection papers as everyone knows what will be the final team. There is nothing new to see for them,” they added.
In the recently concluded Vijay Hazare Trophy, J&K cricket team after suffering six back to back defeats ended on a high with three wins. In this backdrop, everyone is eyeing on how J&K will perform in the upcoming Ranji trophy which is considered to be the premier domestic tournament of the Country.
Despite the fact that the final set of selected players is already known to everyone, there is all likelihood for a few surprises in the final squad. The inclusion of Qamran Iqbal in the coaching camp is also indication that selectors may include youngster in the J&K Ranji trophy team.
J&K begins its Ranji trophy campaign against Rajasthan at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on November 1.
