Srinagar, Mar 05: ICC chairman Jay Shah met members of Jammu & Kashmir cricket team after their historic Ranji Trophy win, in which they beat the eight-time champions Karnataka at the Hubli Cricket Ground last week to win their maiden title.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) following the memorable victory, the players expressed a heartfelt desire to meet Jay Shah and share their joy with him, acknowledging the role his leadership played in strengthening cricket infrastructure and opportunities in the region during his tenure as Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India.
The ICC chairman met them and shared words of encouragement with the players as they celebrated their historic success. “The historic triumph of Jammu & Kashmir in the Ranji Trophy will remain a proud milestone for cricket in the region,” The BCCI wrote on X, sharing photos of the meet.
“After their memorable victory, the players expressed a heartfelt desire to meet Hon. ICC Chair @JayShah and share this special moment with him, acknowledging the role his leadership played in strengthening cricket in Jammu & Kashmir during his tenure as BCCI Secretary,” the board added.
The BCCI also congratulated the entire Jammu and Kashmir squad and the cricket fraternity for scripting what it described as a remarkable chapter in Indian domestic cricket while thanking Shah for meeting the winning team.
“We sincerely thank Mr Shah for taking the time to meet the team and for sharing his words of encouragement with the players as they celebrate this historic achievement.” “Congratulations to the entire J&K team and the cricket fraternity for scripting a remarkable chapter in Indian domestic cricket.”
In a post on X, the Board of Control for Cricket in India congratulated the team and appreciated their achievement.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir scripted history by clinching their maiden Ranji Trophy title, marking a proud and defining moment for cricket in the region after decades of struggle and perseverance.
The historic triumph has been widely celebrated across the Union Territory, with cricket lovers, former players and sports officials hailing the achievement as a turning point for the growth of the sport in Jammu & Kashmir.
The victory was powered by exceptional performances from several players, particularly all-rounder Abdul Samad, who emerged as one of the top performers with the bat. Samad scored more than 700 runs in the tournament, playing crucial innings at key moments and helping his side dominate opponents throughout the season.
The more impressive was the performance of young pacer Auqib Nabi, who spearheaded the bowling attack. Nabi picked up an astonishing 60 wickets in the tournament and registered seven five-wicket hauls, making him one of the standout bowlers of the competition.
His remarkable performance has drawn praise from several former Indian cricketers, including Sourav Ganguly, Virender Sehwag and Irfan Pathan, who have backed the young pacer as a strong contender for future international selection.
Cricket experts believe that Auqib Nabi’s consistent wicket-taking ability and match-winning spells could soon earn him a place in the national setup if he continues to perform at the same level.
Jammu & Kashmir’s victory is even more significant as it comes after 66 years of participation in the domestic cricket circuit. The triumph has been hailed as a symbol of resilience, talent and the growing cricket culture in the region.
Sports enthusiasts and cricket experts say the achievement will inspire a new generation of young cricketers in Jammu & Kashmir and strengthen the region’s presence in Indian domestic cricket. (KNO)
