For the first time Jammu and Kashmir since registering its historic win over Mumbai in 2014, the two sides will be playing against each other again in the match of ACA Sir Vizzy Trophy 2018-19 at Mvgr College Ground, Vizianagaram-Andhra Pradesh on Sunday.
Both sides are taking part in the tournament as part of their pre-season preparations. In 2014, J&K cricket team was able to stun everyone in cricket circles when they had defeated 40-time Ranjhi trophy champions in their own backyard at Wankhede Stadium Mumbai in the match of Ranjhi trophy. That win is still considered one of the biggest upsets in domestic cricket in the country.
With J&K trying to regroup under the patronage of its mentor cum player Irfan Pathan, the team looks confident as part of making themselves serious contenders in domestic cricket arena.
J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) started preparation by conducting screening camp and then invited Uttar Pradesh to play four match series at Sheri-Kashmir Cricket Stadium and now have sent team for the participation in top level 50-over tournament to Andhra Pradesh.
J&K so far in the tournament has played two matches and in both the matches’ rain played spoilsport. In first match, J&K were in need of 36 runs to win against Railways when rain interrupted. Railways won match through VJD rain rule. In the second match against IOCL, J&K were in driver’s seat but again rain interrupted their chase and the match was abandoned.
Now in their third league match of the tournament J&K is scheduled to play against Mumbai. Irfan Pathan may again opt to not to play as team sources said that he intends to give full chance to youngsters to play in national level events.
“Weather here in Andra Pradesh is not that encouraging. Locals say that August remains like this and even a 20-minute rain can ruin whole days play. We are keeping our fingers crossed as none of the players want to miss clash against Mumbai,” said team official.
About Irfan, he said, “It is because of Irfan that team has been able to get entry in this top level tournament. His aim is to boost morale of players and give them confidence of playing at top level. Normally our players despite having talent fair bad owing to lack of confidence in top level matches. Irfan is trying to boost their confidence by sending them into play matches against top teams,” he said.