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'My religion prohibits alcohol consumption'

The first cricketer from Jammu and Kashmir to play in the IPL, Parveez Rasool, has refused to sport a liquor brand's logo on his Pune Warriors team jersey, saying that it would hurt his religious sentiments.

The 24-year-old Rasool made his IPL debut against Kolkata Knight Riders last week and hid the liquor brand's logo on his jersey with a tape.

"I used tape to hide the logo and people were initially wondering why I was doing this. I told them that it is because my religion prohibits alcohol consumption.

"I can't endorse liquor brand. For me my belief is paramount. My family is happy with the decision," he said.

'I can't endorse liquor brand'

Rasool's IPL debut came after being in the dugout for 12 matches.

In his first match, he claimed the prized scalp of Jaques Kallis and finished with decent bowling figures of 4-0-23-1 and scored one run. In the second match against Mumbai Indians, Rasool bowled just one over and gave away five runs and scored four runs coming in to bat at number 10.

The unassuming player from the valley shot into the limelight with a seven-wicket haul against visiting Australians while playing for the Board President's XI earlier this year.

Rasool, a day ahead of his 24th birthday, spun a web around the Aussies with impressive figures of seven for 45 for the Board President's XI on a pitch that offered the slow bowlers assistance.