Picture Credit: BCCI
Indian cricketer Parvez Rasool is forced to consider his future with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association after he was accused of stealing a pitch roller. The off-spinner has even been asked either to return the equipment or face police action. While Rasool is repeatedly denying all allegations, the JKCA is also firm on its statements.
Sensing that things could turn awry, Rasool has asked the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to intervene into the matter. In sharp contrast to JKCA's claims, Rasool says that instead of stealing, he has been taking over the daily expenses of the ground and had even contributed to the construction of the venue.
Roller is not like a tennis ball that I can keep in my pocket: Rasool
Stating that he has received a 'second notice' from JKCA, Parvez revealed that he rather helps the players in the ground and cleared that he couldn't fathom the recent turn of events.
"I think BCCI should intervene now. Please see my work. I’m trying to promote cricket on my part. I had spent from my own pocket to build that ground and meet daily expenses. I don’t take any money, I help players," he said as quoted by The Indian Express.
"Roller is not like a tennis ball that I can keep in my pocket and roam wherever I want to. It’s for ground use, it’s for cricket development. I really don’t know why these things are happening here. I got a ‘second notice’ which stated that we had sent you a notice on 5th of July," he added.
Can anyone tell me what wrong I have done that I need to be hanged, asks the cricketer
Notably, while Rasool claims that he never received any sort of notice on July 5, the authorities say they had emailed it to him. The 32-year-old also gave his opinion on a social media post where an officer claims that Rasool should be given a rope so that he could hang himself. He said that he has not done anything that he should take his life.
"The official deleted it but I have the screenshot of it. Can anyone tell me what wrong I have done that I need to be hanged? If you have any doubts, they have my phone number, they can call me. It took mere seconds to clarify but it seems they wanted to victimize me," explained Rasool.
The player, who has represented India in two limited-overs fixtures, said that the development of the cricket infrastructure in the state is all that he wants and is promoting the sport as well as sponsoring young cricketers in his hometown of Bijbehara.