Irfan Pathan gets new role, joins Jammu and Kashmir cricket as mentor

The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) on Fridday appointed former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan as the coach-cum-mentor of its senior state side for the 2018-19 season.

"He will be the coach-cum-mentor of our team for a period of one year," JKCA CEO Aashiq Bukhari said.

The 33-year-old Pathan played 29 Tests, 120 ODIs and 24 T20 Internationals for India between 2003 and 2012. Pathan was captain of Baroda for the past two domestic seasons.

However, some reports suggested that Irfan, who played for Baroda in Ranji circuit, will next year play for J&K as mentor cum player.

Apart from that he will also be holding coaching clinics in various parts of J&K for the development of the game.

On his arrival, Pathan interacted with the young cricketers at the Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium and told them to work hard on their game in order to reach the next level. 

“I am here for you and I will go into every district of the State to unearth the hidden talent. My job here is to help develop J&K cricket as mentor cum player. You should always remember one thing and it is most important suggestion from me to you. Always play with winning attitude and try to help your team win in whatever capacity you can. It is not only about big hundreds and number of wickets, even small help team win,” Pathan told youngsters according to Great Kashmir.

He said that he is in J&K for one year term and they have started the planning to develop cricket in State.

“We have already started to work on the plan and soon we will set that in motion. J&K has got the talent and need is to give them platform and chance to excel. Idea is to work alongwith senior players of State to make plan successful,” the report said quoting Pathan.