Parvez Rasool, who became the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the Indian Premier League, has called his debut for Pune Warriors the "proudest day" of his life even though the team ended up on the losing side, says a report in Indian Express.
According to the report, Rasool told www.iplt20.com, "This is the proudest day of my life. And the whole of Jammu and Kashmir was watching the match and I am proud of that. I feel really great. First of all, thanks to Almighty Allah, I have made it this far. It feels really nice to get an opportunity in the IPL and to be able to perform at this level."
After spending his time on the bench for 12 matches, the 24-year-old batting all-rounder finally found a place in the playing XI of Pune Warriors ahead of their match against Kolkata Knight Riders here last night. Rasool replaced leg-spinner Rahul Sharma to earn his maiden IPL cap. He dedicated his debut performance against KKR, an economical four-over spell for 23 runs and the prized scalp of Jacques Kallis, to the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir and his fans across India.
"I would like to dedicate my debut performance to the entire state of Jammu & Kashmir and all the well-wishers all around India," he said
According to a report in Deccan Chronicle, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday lavished praise on Parveez Rasool for making an impressive debut in the cash-rich Indian Premier League, here today. "Well done Parvez Rasool. Great name for your first scalp," the CM wrote on his twitter page referring to Rasool's maiden IPL scalp Jacques Kallis during Pune Warriors' match against Kolkata Knight Riders.
Rasool bowled four tight overs off-breaks as he had impressive figures of 1/23 to show for his efforts. "Finally Parvez Rasool gets a game in the 2013 #IPL. Come on Parvez make us proud. Good luck," the Chief minister had tweeted before the start of play.
According to a report in Business Standard, Sunrisers Hyderabad are determined to not repeat their mistakes in the remainder of the tournament, SRH mentor VVS Laxman said.
"You have to be really positive, definitely you get really hurt when you lose in such a manner, which we did. There is no doubt that we were very disappointed about the way we played against CSK in Hyderabad," Laxman said ahead of the crucial match against Kings XI Punjab.
"But you have to move forward, you learn from your mistakes and you don't want to repeat them in the following match or in the remaining part of the tournament. I think we took out the positives from that match," 38-year-old former batting star said.
With 14 points from 12 games, Sunrisers have a good chance to make the knockout stage. A win here tomorrow will push them closer to the play-offs.