Former cricketers lash out at Assam Cricket Association(ACA)

A Sports Reporter

GUWAHATI: Cricket fraternity lashed out at Assam Cricket Association for carelessness in Swarupam Purkayastha’s selection issue as some of former cricketers called it a rubbish. Swarupam was called into the squad for the Haryana game in place of injured Riya Parag, but unfortunately was out from the squad for not having proper registration at BCCI.

The last date of registration was October 17 and ACA could managed 26 players for registration for the season where Swarupam’s name was not included. But during the match against Odisha Riya was injured and suddenly the all-rounder was called. Even head coach announced the inclusion of Sarupam in playing XI on the eve of Haryana match. Then he was eventfully dropped from the playing XI. It has been regarded as an insult to the player.

Former Ranji player and secretary of Veteran Cricket Association of Assam Nasir Gul Khan slammed the ACA and said that the state cricket body showed their carelessness. “It is the duty of ACA's top officials to preserve necessary records like which player is available to play or who are registered and who are not. But the ACA officials are passing the buck on the selectors for this fiasco as, according to them, it was selectors’ responsibility to know which players were registered to BCCI for the season, and this in no way acceptable. Selectors have a limitation in their duties, they are not office-bearers. The negligence on the part of the ACA is glaringly visible in this episode. Lack of communication in working zone in the ACA is becoming a serious matter to discuss.”

He directly blamed the ACA secretary on this issue and said that the secretary should have been present in the team selection meeting and monitored the situation. However, that was not happened.

Legendary figure of Assam cricket Rajesh Bora demanded an enquiry into this unpleasant incident. "This is an insult to a promising player," he said. Bora said that ACA officials should own the responsibity for the lapse. "They're doing at their won whims these days. The recent incident is just one of the examples," he added.

Commenting on players' performance he said that they are performing within their limitation with minimum facilities.

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