'Only the gentleman's game on my mind'

Cricketer Parvez Rasool talks to Imran Gowhar about his detainment at Chinnaswamy Stadium

Are you happy with your performance in the match so far?
No. Actually, I wanted to play a long innings. I got out on 68 and again at 35. I wanted to hit a hundred. We all want to prove a pointu2026 want to show with our performance. We (have) already got a lead over Karnataka of 93 runs. Tomorrow now, if we beat Karnataka we'll really tell them that we've come here to play cricket and (for) nothing else.

Mistaken identity? Cricketer Parvez Rasool (J&K) seen in action during the CK Nayadu U-22 Tournament at Chinnaswamy Stadium on Thursday pic/satish badiger

You are now more in the news for things other than cricket?
I want to be recognised as a cricketer. That's my area, my forte. I have played since childhood I've played Under 15, Under 17, Under 22, also Ranji matches. I would always want to be known as a cricketer.

Has 'the incident' affected your performance?
Well, first day I was very hurt. My friends and family too were very tense... because we had come here to play a match, we had got tickets to watch the other match... we wanted to see Bangalore and have fun too... But this happened. This was just His wish. Don't know why I was the victim, but may be that too was His wish. Now I just want to focus and concentrate on the match at hand, that's all.

Has what happened affected your team's plans?
Plans were definitely affected in the beginning but then, the team and the manager got together. They were with me. It's okay now.