Kashmir cricket needs infrastructure, elected body to flourish: Former Indian cricketer Azharuddin

Baramulla, Sep  8: Former India captain Mohammed Azharuddin on Monday said Kashmir’s cricketing talent cannot reach its potential without improved infrastructure and the formation of an elected cricket body to oversee the sport in the region.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the selection trials of budding cricketers inside the all-weather net at General Bipin Rawat Stadium Baramulla, the former captain of the Indian cricket team said that Kashmir has a lot of cricketing talent, but the youngsters lack the proper guidance.

“These shortcomings will be overcome if proper infrastructure is built here and once the elected body is formed who will run this sport properly,” he said.

He stated the inability of improved cricketing standards in Kashmir until the formation of a proper elected sports body.

“Besides having an elected body, youth must have proper infrastructure in terms of playgrounds across the Valley,” he said.

He said during his past visit to Baramulla, he saw and interacted with the talented cricketers.

“There must be some players who have showcased their talent on different platforms, but we have to provide opportunities to budding cricketers at school level. That can only be possible once we have better infrastructure,” he said.

He said the young cricketers give up playing once they don’t get the proper facilities.

“We have good talent here, but they need proper guidance, which is lacking here. All these things can be worked properly if you have an elected body in place who will hold selections and invite different academies here,” he said.

He said playing cricket on a turf wicket gives altogether a different feeling to the cricketers.

“At my individual level, I will definitely advocate for the development of sports infrastructure and the formation of an elected body here to take cricket to the next level,” he said.

He, however, expressed gratitude to the Indian Army for holding cricket tournaments and contributing to the development of sports infrastructure in the district.

“This district has an all-weather net facility here, but that is not enough to promote cricket. “A turf wicket must be developed here,” he said.

About the international tournaments here, the former cricketer said Kashmir has hosted international cricket in the past as well.

“And if the playgrounds and dressing rooms are developed to that level, Kashmir will definitely witness international cricket here once again,” he said.