Ranji selection draws flak

‘Short listing failed, discarded cricketers compared to talented youngsters is mockery’

The Ranji trophy probable selection by J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) has come under criticism with stake holders alleging favoritism in the process.

The stake holders have alleged that JKCA taking undue benefit of ongoing Kashmir unrest has included ‘failed and discard cricketers’ compared to talented youngsters in the probable list of 32 players. JKCA conducted selection trials at Jammu in which they shortlisted 32 cricketers, 16 each from Kashmir and Jammu for the Ranji trophy selection. The selection of Kashmir province players was also conducted at Jammu instead of Srinagar due to ongoing unrest in valley. The shortlisted set of players from Kashmir province has raised many eyebrows as it includes names of some discarded failed cricketers according to stake holders.

“It is irony and this body is killing cricket in the State. Rivalry apart, I believe this selection is complete joke wherein they have dropped talented players and included failed, discard cricketers,” said former JKCA General Secretary, Saleem Khan.

The probable list announced on September 26, misses the names of some of the top cricketers of State like Sameer Ali , Manzoor Pandaw, Obaid Haroon , Muhammad Mudassar Gujree, Abid Nabi, Javed Mir, Mehjoor Sofi  among others while includes players like Suhail Andleep, Nadeem Dar , Mohsin Mufti who have no solid background in cricket.

“You are dropping players like Mehjoor, Abid, Sameer and Manzoor and includes players like Suhail SAndleep , Dar , Mufti is total injustice. It flays all the selection criteria that any selection committee adopts. It would have been better to shut selection drama and announce squad on its own,” he said.

“My suggestion has always been that we shouldn’t involve players in politics. Selection should have been done in fair manner which is not the case this time. Selecting a discard player like Suhail who last season slapped team manager is total mockery of cricket. Some the other players selected in the probable list doesn’t deserve place in district team not to mention of Ranji trophy,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts JKCA General Secretary Iqbal Shah and other officials were not able to be contacted for the comments.