Narendra Modi wants international cricket match in Srinagar

Prime minister Narendra Modi during his rally at Sher-e-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar. The venue hosted some of international cricket matches till 1986. (Express Photo by Shuaib Masoodi)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday made a special mention about Kashmiri cricketer Parvez Rasool during his rally in the Valley and asked why an international cricket match could not be hosted at the stadium.

While praising the youth of the state, the Prime Minister, who was addressing a public rally at Sher-e-Kashmir Cricket stadium, spoke about Rasool and said “this boy of Kashmir is earning fame in the field of cricket”.

“For last 30 years not a single international match has been played in this stadium…. Why can’t an international cricket match be once again played in this stadium?” he asked.

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Established in 1983, the stadium hosted its first match in October the same year and the last one in September 1986 between India and Australia.

Impressing upon the importance of youth power, he said, “When Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj, Dhoni, Sehwag smash sixes in cricket matches, the bats they use are manufactured in Kashmir. This is the strength of this land”.

Off-spinning all-rounder Rasool made his debut for India in Bangladesh in a ODI match in which he took two wickets for 60 runs in stipulated 10 overs. In 43 first-class matches, he has made eight centuries and taken 107 wickets so far.