Excelsior Sports Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 6: International cricket players started arriving in Srinagar today for Match 19 of the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2024, which will be played between Toyam Hyderabad and Southern Super Stars at Bakshi Stadium on October 9.
The sight of these players in Kashmir is rare, not seen for decades. The last time international players visited Kashmir was in the 1980s. At the Srinagar airport, Martin Guptill, along with many others from the Southern Super Stars, led by Dinesh Karthik, was seen making their way out and heading to their hotel.
They were given a grand welcome. Other notable players in the team include Kedar Jadhav, Jeevan Mendis, Pawan Negi, and Parthiv Patel. Toyam Hyderabad, led by Suresh Raina, features players such as Stuart Binny, Shaun Marsh, Ricardo Powell, and others.
According to the fixture, Bakshi Stadium will host a total of seven matches, beginning with the October 9 game. Match 20, on October 10, will feature India Capitals, led by Ian Bell, against Manipal Tigers, captained by Harbhajan Singh.
On October 11, in back-to-back games, Konark Suryas Odisha, led by Irfan Pathan, will play against Gujarat Greats, under the leadership of Shikhar Dhawan. The team also includes Chris Gayle and Mohammad Kaif.
The qualifier match of the league will be played on October 12 at Bakshi Stadium, followed by an eliminator on October 13. The semi-final will take place on October 14, and the final match of the league is scheduled for October 16 at 7 PM.
Due to the importance of the event, security measures are a top priority. Senior police officers, along with various security agencies, have devised a detailed plan to ensure the safety of the players, officials, and spectators.
This event marks a monumental occasion for Kashmir, as it’s the first time in almost 40 years that an international cricket tournament of this scale will take place in the region.
Cricket fans and enthusiasts in Kashmir are eagerly looking forward to the return of global cricket legends, whose performances have captivated audiences around the world.
“It is going to be something new for me and for the cricket enthusiasts. It will be the first time we see superstars, who have earned their names, playing in Kashmir. I am excited,” said Sajad Ahmad, an athlete and resident of the old city.
Another youngster expressed hope that the Legends League will lead to something bigger for Kashmir’s cricketing future.
“We should have IPL and other league matches here in Srinagar. Maybe this league will pave the way for something more,” said Muneer Ahmad, another resident and cricket fan.
It’s worth noting that Bakshi Stadium was chosen as the venue over Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, primarily because of its larger seating capacity of over 30,000, allowing more fans to witness the matches in person.
Originally a football stadium, Bakshi Stadium has undergone significant upgrades, with pitch experts from the United States working to prepare the ground for cricket.
The tournament kicked off on September 20, and is now set to conclude with games in Srinagar. Six teams are competing in this year’s tournament: India Capitals, Gujarat Giants, Konark Suryas, Manipal Tigers, Southern Super Stars, and Toyam Hyderabad.
Fixtures for Srinagar
October 9, 2024: Hyderabad Team vs Southern Superstars
October 10, 2024: India Capitals vs Manipal Tigers
October 11, 2024: Konark Surya Odisha vs Gujarat Team
October 12, 2024: Qualifier (Position 1 vs Position 2)
October 13, 2024: Eliminator (Position 3 vs Position 4)
October 14, 2024: Semi-Final (Loser Qualifier vs Eliminator Winner)
October 15, 2024: Rest Day
October 16, 2024: Final (Winner Qualifier vs Winner Semis)
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