Meet another international Cricketer from J&K: Amir Rather
Srinagar, April 14: Amir is a left arm pacer, who are in need in modern day cricket. If you look at Mitchell starc and Trent Boult, Amir bowls exactly like them.
Sitting in his room, Amir narrates his dream run in cricket on phone to me. Amir, also talks about the life with PC India team, his struggles, his family support, his idols etc. If you look at the photos of amir which he mailed me, he looks lean and fit. A perfect shape for a cricket player or any athlete.
An Exclusive Interview With JKSportstime Editor Hanief Bin Aziz
Q: So, Amir tell us from the start, how you got into cricket?
A: I was 6 years old, when I started to play cricket. I took it naturally and it stuck with me. Although, I’m specially abled person but this is what has taught me humility and respect.
Q: But you still play with normal cricketers, does it become a hindrance?
A: No, I don’t look at it like that. My bowling hand is left, and it’s perfectly fine as for as my local teams are concerned. I only have to bowl, I bat at 11 and I don’t often get that chance.
Q: Which local teams you represent?
A: I represent PCC Tarzoo, team from my hometown and I’m also part of BCC Reds Baramulla, one of the top rated clubs in North kashmir.
Q: How about the support from Local players?
A: To be honest, they have never looked at me like, I’m a little disabled or special abled. They treat me like their own and have always been quite supportive. I would here like to mention, Mohd Yousuf Rather, Abid Nabi, Zubair Ahmad, Parvez Rasool, Irfan Pathan and whole players and management of Tarzoo, who have always came forward and provided me the best platform to nourish my skills.
Q: How about the family support?
A: Talking about family, they have always been there. They gave me free choice to decide my career and I took cricket as a option. It was never a No from their side. They are my real strength.
Q: Amir,when did you first play for PC India team?
A: When Irfan Pathan came here and he was organising talent hunt camps. I participated too and I got selected. Although, he wasn’t selecting for PC team but I got the recognition from there. That year, I played for State PC team and we won the tournament at Himachal Pradesh.
Q: Yaa, I read from somewhere, you were awarded the best fast bowler in that tournament?
A: Yaa,I was the top performer from my team.
Q: Tell us about the experiences with India PC team?
A: After I was awarded the best fast bowler at Himachal, India A call up came. I performed well there too. So, it was a matter of time before I was selected for India team for World cup in England.
Q: Has life changed for you after India call up?
A: Yes, definitely! I’m being sponsored now by Anthem Sports. They have taken good care of me and people have started to recognise me. I have got more and more respect from everyone.
Q: Heard that, a coach from Mumbai has stated, that Amir is fit to play for Mumbai U23 team in BCCI tournaments?
A: Yaa, my coach Sulakshan Kulkarni, a former Ranji Trophy player told this. He was our coach too. He is quite impressed by my bowling.
Q: Amir, your future plans?
A: Although I’m a PC team player but I still want to play for JK senior men’s team in coming years. With now experience at playing in England and other states, I think I’m good enough to play. Maybe, next year or so, I can be seen in Ranji Trophy.
Amir ,it was good talking to you. I would have loved to meet up for the interview but present conditions doesn’t suit well to do that. I wish you all the best for future!
