Shadab Jakati questions the inclusion of Asaduddin, son of Mohammad Azharuddin in the Goa squad

Goa cricketer Shadab Jakati of the Chennai Super Kings fame has sparked controversy ahead of the 2018-19 domestic season. It sparked after, 28-year-old Asaduddin who is former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin’s son was picked in the Goa domestic team. Jakati alleged that his inclusion has nothing to with cricketing merit.

He said that the just because Asaduddin is Azhar’s son does that warrant him a spot in the Goa team since he has no cricketing achievements to back his selection. At 28, he is yet to feature in a Ranji Trophy match, in fact, hasn’t even made his first-class debut. The last professional match he played was way back in 2009 and that was in Hyderabad.

At 28, he hasn’t played any cricket

“Just because he is the son of former India captain (Mohammad Azharuddin), who was a great player, does that automatically allow for his son to play for Goa?” Jakati was quoted as saying by Times Now on Friday.

“He (Asaduddin) is aged 28 and never played a single Ranji trophy match, nor even a first-class match. Even the last match he played for a state was in 2009, that too for Hyderabad Colts team in an invitational tournament. He tried to play for Uttar Pradesh, he tried various states, but he was not given a chance,” Jakati added.

He further mentioned that Suraj Lotlikar, President of Goa Cricket Association asked him to contemplate retirement to make way for youngsters. Lotlikar also told him that there is no way he will be playing any IPL cricket this year.

“Suraj Lotlikar told me to consider retirement and told me to make way for junior cricketers. He even went to the extent of telling me that I will never be part of any IPL team this year,” Jakati further mentioned.

When Goa named the players for the pre-season camp Jakati and another experienced cricketer from the state wicketkeeper-batsman Swapnil Asnodkar’s name was missing from the list. The 37-year-old spinner who has played 92 first-class matches in his career is expected to switch to one of the new teams for the upcoming season.

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