‘JKCPL matches pull huge crowds’ (Written by:Sameer Showkin Lone Kashmir Monitor) =>Kashmir valley has not hosted a single international cricket match in last two decades due to conflict, but for the local cricket fans, it was not less than the “feel of an international match” that attracted them to witness the inaugural match of the much-awaited J&K Corporate Premier League (JKCPL). On the banks of Dal Lake, the match was played between Saifco Lions and Ahad Sultans at the Kashmir university Cricket grounds on Monday. Saifco Lions defeated Ahad Sultans by 15 runs. Winning the toss Saifco Lions elected to bat first and gave a healthy start to their team. However, they lost the first wicket in the first over, but the two batsmen on wicket played sensibly by hitting some lovely strokes all over the wicket taking the score to 71-1 in nine over’s. However, they could not continue the rhythm at which they were going and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Ahad Sultans bundled out the whole Saifco Lions on 137 runs in 19 over’s. Chasing the target, Ahad Sultans lost wickets from the beginning and were bundled out on 122 in 18.4 over’s. Meanwhile, in a nail biting match played at Bijbehara, Khazir Royals defeated Trumboo Panthers by two wickets. Batting first Trumboo Panthers scored 120/9 in 20 overs with Syed Sagar slamming unbeaten 52. Chasing the target, Khazir Royals lost some early wickets and were battling for 66-5 in 12 over’s. But the tail-enders guided the team towards victory in the 19th over. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Farooq Shah along with some top police officials encouraged the players at university cricket grounds and asked them to remain focused what they are doing and they will surely reach the heights in their profession. Not only were the players, the other people around the venue were upbeat with this new idea saying it will encourage youngsters and will promote cricket in the valley. The spectators, mostly university students also lauded the efforts of the local corporate houses for organizing such an event saying it will help the cricket players to prove themselves. But, at the same time they have some regrets as well saying that only those players have been given the chance who have some name or are affiliated to JKCA or other sports clubs and the others who even are much talented were nowhere in the list. “I hope this experiment will flourish and the talented boys in villagers will also be given a chance to prove their mettle,” said a university student, who also plays for his village team as a strike bowler. “I came to know about this through media. There was no procedure how to apply to get the place in any of the teams,” he said. The organizers of the premier league, which is a first of its kind in the valley, are optimistic that this tournament will be a big success. “The league is bound to improve by every edition. We are eying to make it a yearly fixture. Besides, a professional cricket we will try to give best entertainment to the cricket lovers,” said the organizers who were present at the inaugural match.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Jul 2013 13:58:53 +0000
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