The game is afoot as Intikhab touches down

‘‘This is a mission for me, a kind of an obsession. Throughout my career, I have loved to take challenges and making Punjab a numero uno side in Indian cricket will be my priority. I know it will not be an easy job and I also don’t have any winning injection,’’ Alam said.

‘‘I feel at home here. Everything’s the same; the food, the people,’’ he said. Alam would be spending the next month or so before the start of the Ranji season, interacting with Punjab cricketers at both the junior and senior levels. ‘‘I have always said that your (India’s) domestic structure is better than ours. The only plus point about our system is that we ensure jobs to our first class cricketers participating in tournaments like Qaid-e-Azam trophy,’’ Alam remarks.

Bindra termed the appointment of Alam as an historic occasion. ‘‘Our cricketers should benefit from Alam’s huge experience. The best part is that Alam would be communicating with our youngsters in their own lingo (Punjabi). What more can we ask for?’’