'Mind & heart still in Kashmir,' says Irfan Pathan after being asked to leave state
Pathan, who is a player cum mentor of the Jammu and Kashmir team left on Sunday along with coach Milap Mewada and trainer Sudarshan VP.
Mumbai: India all-rounder Irfan Pathan and other support staffs of Jammu and Kashmir's cricket team were asked to leave at the earliest due to the security advisory issued.
Pathan, who is a player cum mentor of the Jammu and Kashmir team left the state on Sunday along with coach Milap Mewada and trainer Sudarshan VP.
"Yes, the JKCA has advised Pathan and other support staff to leave J&K. They will fly out of the Valley on Sunday. Selectors, who are not from the region, have also been asked to leave for their respective places,” JKCA chief executive officer (CEO) Syed Ashiq Hussain Bukhari told the New Indian Express.
Reacting on the same, Pathan tweeted that his heart and mind is still in Kashmir.
Both, my mind & heart are still back in Kashmir with Indian army & Indian Kashmiri brothers and sisters... #Kashmir #KashmirUnderThreat
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 4, 2019
Pathan also lashed out at people questioning the motive of government for asking people of other states to return from Jammu and Kashmir. Pathan posted another tweet asking people to not invoke religion and keep asking for proof for every move of the government.
The fact that #AmarnathYatris have been asked to go back and stopped the #Yatra means it is under threat. That's why security measures are taken. Apni gandi soch Badlo. Har baat mein religion mat daalo. Har baat mein saboot mat maango.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) August 4, 2019
The ongoing U-16 and U-19 trials in Srinagar have also been postponed due to the current situation. Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association had planned to organize preparatory camps which also involved match-practice by dividing the senior and U-23 cricketers to eight different teams – three from Jammu, three from Kashmir and two from the senior team probables.
“We played a selection match on Tuesday. The juniors including U-19 and U-16 cricketers were undergoing training camp at the stadium. Apart from this, matches were going on at district headquarters. Selectors were visiting these places for talent scouting. But all these activities have now come to a sudden halt due,” India and J&K cricketer Parvez Rasool told The New Indian Express.