2 young cricketers die in Bijbehara road accident

Anantnag, Apr 8: In a heartbreaking turn of events, two promising young cricketers from South Kashmir lost their lives in a tragic road accident in Bijbehara on Monday evening, shortly after returning from a match in Srinagar.

Jasif Hassan of Sangam and Irfan Ahmad of Mir Bazar, both aged 25, were killed when their car collided with a truck near Jablipora on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, sending shockwaves through Kashmir’s cricketing circles and beyond. Four young cricketers driving home after a cricket match in Srinagar on Monday first decided to drop a teammate at Mir Bazar, but fate had some other plans for two of them.

In the blink of an eye, a joyful day turned into a devastating tragedy that sent shockwaves through the cricketing fraternity and their hometowns.

Irfan died on the spot. Jasif was rushed to the hospital but succumbed to his injuries shortly after, leaving behind grieving families and heartbroken friends.

Two other cricketers—Nadeem Ahmad from Sethar and Khurshid Ahmad from Khanmoh—remain in critical condition at a hospital in Srinagar, fighting for their lives.

For those who knew Jasif and Irfan, their deaths are a loss that goes far beyond the cricket field. They weren’t just promising athletes—they were beloved sons, loyal friends, and humble young men who brought light to those around them.

“I still can’t believe it,” said international cricketer Parvez Rasool, captain of the Bijbehara Sports Club. “Jasif played under my captaincy. He was our opener, our wicketkeeper—our fighter. But more than that, he was one of the kindest, most grounded boys I have ever known. There were matches we had no hope in, and he turned them around single-handedly. Cricket wasn’t just a game to him—it was his life.”

The youngest of three siblings, Jasif had completed a degree but chose to dedicate himself fully to cricket. “He travelled across Kashmir to play, always with the same passion,” said his cousin Aamir, struggling to hold back tears. “Every six he hit felt like a celebration for the whole family.”

Fawzul Kabir, Jasif’s neighbour and owner of GR8 Sports, a bat manufacturing unit, is still in disbelief.

“We keep thinking he will walk in with that familiar grin, bat slung over his shoulder, keeping and batting gloves in hand,” he said. “It just doesn’t feel real.”

Irfan, too, leaves behind a void that cannot be filled.

A gifted fielder and natural athlete, he played for several local clubs and was admired for his energy, discipline, and ever-present smile. “

"He was lightning on the field,” recalled a teammate.

“But it was his heart, his warmth, and his selflessness that made him unforgettable.”

As news of the tragedy spread, mourning poured in from across the valley.