Parvez Rasool Zargar is an Indian cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir. A right-arm off-break bowler and right-handed middle-order batsman, he is widely regarded as one of the most prominent cricketers to have emerged from the Kashmir Valley, and was the first Kashmiri to represent India in international cricket.
Key facts
| Full name | Parvez Rasool Zargar |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 February 1989, Bijbehara, Anantnag district, Jammu and Kashmir |
| Batting | Right-handed |
| Bowling | Right-arm off-break |
| Role | All-rounder |
| Domestic team | Jammu and Kashmir |
| IPL teams | Pune Warriors India, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| National side | India |
Background
Rasool was born in Bijbehara in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. He took up cricket at a young age, with early support from his father, and went on to graduate through age-group cricket in Jammu and Kashmir. His emergence as a serious prospect coincided with a renewed effort by the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association to develop talent from the region.
Domestic career
Rasool made his first-class debut for Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy and quickly established himself as the team's leading all-rounder. He has captained the side across formats and is among the highest wicket-takers and run-scorers in the state's domestic history. His performances in the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy have repeatedly placed Jammu and Kashmir competitively against stronger sides.
One of his most notable domestic feats came in a Ranji Trophy match against Punjab, where he produced a match-winning all-round performance, including a seven-wicket haul, that drew national attention to his bowling.
India A and tour with Australia
In 2013, Rasool was selected for an India A tour and later took seven wickets in a tour match against the visiting Australian team in Chennai, a performance that strengthened his case for senior selection.
International career
Rasool was named in India's One Day International (ODI) squad for the tour of Zimbabwe in 2013, becoming the first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to be picked for the senior India side. He made his ODI debut against Bangladesh in 2014 at Mirpur. He later made his Twenty20 International (T20I) debut for India.
Indian Premier League
In the Indian Premier League, Rasool was first signed by Pune Warriors India. He subsequently played for Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bangalore, featuring primarily as a spin-bowling all-rounder.
Captaincy and leadership
Rasool has captained Jammu and Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy and limited-overs domestic competitions. Under his leadership, the team recorded several notable wins against established sides, and his role has been credited with raising the visibility and competitiveness of cricket in the region.
Significance
As the first cricketer from Kashmir to play for India, Rasool is regarded as a pathbreaker for the sport in the Valley. His career has been seen as a marker of the growing pipeline of cricketing talent from Jammu and Kashmir, encouraging greater institutional investment in coaching, infrastructure and youth selection in the region.
Related topics
- Jammu and Kashmir cricket team
- Ranji Trophy
- Indian Premier League
- India national cricket team
- Bijbehara
- Cricket in Jammu and Kashmir
References
- Wikidata: Q7141318