Irani Cup return to Srinagar marks a new chapter for Kashmir cricket

Srinagar’s Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium hosted its first Irani Cup match on October 1, marking a significant return for top-level cricket at a ground associated with a disruptive incident in 1983. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association limited attendance to about 5,000 spectators and screened guests and invitees before issuing a restricted number of passes, according to officials cited by The Hindu. The measures were intended to ensure that the earlier history was not repeated.

In October 1983, 21 people entered the ground during the lunch interval of an India-West Indies match and damaged the pitch. The incident was described as an attempt to internationalise the Kashmir issue. Twelve people were later identified among the accused, including separatist leaders Shakeel Bakshi and Shabir Ahmad Shah.

A court acquitted them in 2011 for lack of evidence. The current match was played in a markedly different atmosphere. Spectators clapped, whistled and blew bugles as Jammu and Kashmir dominated the Rest of India on the first day of the five-day fixture.

Nasir Aslam Wani, a leader of the ruling National Conference and adviser to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, called the match a positive development. He said the administration intended to invest in cricket infrastructure, including in districts and tehsils, and eventually seek Indian Premier League matches for the region. Wani pointed to pacer Aquib Nabi, who he said had made his India Test debut the previous month, as evidence of Kashmir’s cricketing potential.

He said matches of this level could help local players progress beyond the local stage. BCCI chairman Mithun Manhas said the board would continue efforts to bring more matches to Kashmir. He said the Board would support the JKCA in organising larger events and potentially international games.