Legends League breaks 40-year silence at packed Bakshi Stadium

Srinagar, Oct 9: In a landmark moment for Kashmir's sporting history, international cricket returned to Srinagar after a four-decade absence as the Legends League Cricket (LLC) tournament kicked off at the revamped Bakshi Stadium on Wednesday. 

Toyam Hyderabad emerged victorious, defeating Southern Super Stars by 5 wickets in front of thousands of enthusiastic spectators.

The historic match marked the beginning of LLC's final leg in Srinagar, featuring cricket icons such as Martin Guptill, Kedar Jadhav, Dinesh Karthik, Suresh Raina, Ricardo Powell and Stuart Binny. The atmosphere was electric as fans queued outside the stadium, eager to witness the return of international cricket to the Valley.

"Seeing international cricket return to Srinagar after such a long gap is truly momentous for our community," reflected Ajaz Ahmad, a Srinagar resident, expressing the collective joy of regional sports enthusiasts.

The traditionally football-focused Bakshi Stadium, chosen over Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium for its larger capacity, underwent a significant transformation with international pitch experts ensuring it met professional cricket standards.

The tournament, which began on September 20 in Jaipur, will feature six matches in Srinagar, promising appearances by cricket legends including Ian Bell, Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan, Shikhar Dhawan, and Chris Gayle over the coming week.

Security measures were stringent, with police implementing a multi-layer security grid to ensure the safety of international stars and spectators alike. "We've implemented comprehensive security measures with multiple protective layers to safeguard both the venue and our distinguished guests," explained a senior police officer in charge of security operations.

The crowd represented a diverse cross-section of society, from youth to elderly cricket enthusiasts. Among them was Mushtaq Ahmad, a cricket fan who expressed her excitement: "This is indeed a great opportunity to see international stars playing cricket in Srinagar. We have been watching them on TV but today they are in our city. So we thought not to leave this opportunity."

As Srinagar embraces this sporting milestone, the LLC tournament not only brings world-class cricket back to the region but also marks a new chapter in Kashmir's sporting history.