Valley boy craves for place in Team India

ABID KHAN
Srinagar, Feb 26: An enthusiastic bowler, who was recently selected for the MRF Pace Foundation, is aiming for a place in Team India. Behzad Qureshi is an excellent speedster whose exuberance knows no bounds. He performed extraordinarily in the recently concluded under-16 national tournament, in which he took 23 wickets.He started playing cricket from only the last year before becoming a member of the Nigeen Cricket Club. “I worked hard at the club and it was during the club matches I was picked for the under-16 cricket tournament,” he said.He said he was inspired by JK pacer Samiullah who told him to join a professional club. “He gave me some valuable tips which helped me a great deal,” Behzad said. He took 23 wickets in the under-16 tournament which paved way for his selection for the Foundation. In the first match against Himachal Pradesh, he took nine wickets. In the second match against Haryana, he took six wickets. JK won both the matches. In the third match against Punjab, Behzad took only one wicket. JK lost that match. In the fourth match against Delhi at Feroz Shah Kotla ground Delhi, He took four wickets.Apart from the MRF Foundation, BBCI chairman of junior selection committee, Sanjeev Sharma selected him for Zonal Cricket Academy also.He was selected for the Foundation on the basis of his performance in the under-16 Vijay Merchant tournament. Along with two dozen budding pacers, Behzad spent three days in the Foundation where the Australian great, Dennis Lilee gave them few valuable tips on fast bowling.“The Board of Control for Cricket in India through a letter informed the J&K Cricket Association about my selection,” he said. “I was elated and looked forward to join the Foundation.” “On the first day, the Foundation videotaped the bowling of each participant,” he said. “Later Lilee played the footage before each one of us and pointed out the errors in our bowling. According, he recommended measures to overcome those.”The MRF Pace Foundation came into existence in August, 1987 with legendary Australian paceman Dennis Lillee at the helm of affairs. The Foundation is dedicated to bringing forth genuine fast bowlers for India.The Foundation nurtures cricketing skills of talented youngsters. The training extends over a period of a few years, during which the trainees receive inputs on correct diet, exercise routines and net practices.The training facilities at the MRF Pace Foundation include an Olympic sized swimming pool, and a Gymnasium structured to include specific workouts tailor-made for pace bowlers. The grounds offer 4 different wickets to simulate actual match situations - slow, moderate, quick and artificial.Besides Behzad, 48 young bowlers from all over India have been picked for the Foundation, however only 10 would be selected.“I worked hard in the Foundation and followed the schedule strictly,” he said. “I’m hopeful I will get a selection call.”For the time being, Behzad wants to join Amateur Cricket Club and to continue playing at the junior national level. “I am working hard on my fitness these days,” he said. “My ultimate goal is to play for India,” he said.The young fast bowler is thankful to his parents and the JKCA officials. “They have played a supportive role all the way,” he said.“He has performed exceptionally well at the national level,” treasurer JKCA and general secretary of ACC Club, Ahsan Mirza said. “We are hopeful that he will continue his performance in future as well.”

published in greater kashmir on Feb 27-2009 link : http://greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=27_2_2009&ItemID=7&cat=4