South Kashmir cricketers shine in ISPL auction

Anantnag, Feb 27: Two cricketers from South Kashmir's Kulgam and Anantnag districts are set to make their mark in the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), beginning on March 6.

Shakir Yasir (14), a wicketkeeper-batsman from Gopalpora village of Kulgam and pacer Farhat Ahmad (29) from Khiram, Anantnag have been bought by Bombay Strikers and Chennai Singams respectively.

The auction took place in Mumbai on Sunday and a total of 96 players were picked up from a pool of 350.

Shakir is the youngest player to take part in the tennis ball T10 cricket tournament, which will run from March 6 to March 15.

Bought for Rs 3.2 lakh, Shakir has been playing cricket for the last few years.

Given his interest in the game, he registered with ISP and after securing a Green ticket for Mumbai, he participated in a practice match in Jammu.

"And finally I took part in trials in Jammu," Shakir told Greater Kashmir.

He said that he was very happy to learn that he was secured during the auction.

Shakir said that his family fully supported him and always allowed him to follow his cricketing passion.

Equally elated, Farhat said that he underwent similar trials before he was bought by Chennai Singhams, a team co-owned by Rajdip Kumar Gupta, Sandip Kumar Gupta and actor Surya Siva Kumar for Rs 3 lakh.

"I learnt about my selection during the auction online and it was a heavenly feeling," he said.

Farhat has done his master's in History from IGNOU and has been playing the game since his childhood.