PAMPORE: The players of a cricket team from Uttar Pradesh that participated in the Big Bash T20 Tournament here at Saffron Town Pampore in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district have expressed gratitude to the local administration and common people for “great hospitality”.
The team from the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh was knocked out of the tournament after losing their first game against SR Young 11.
Today, they were flagged off by Tehsildar Pampore Zuber Ahmad Bhat and other local youth of Saffron Town to their home state. The vehicle for their departure was hired by Tehsildar Pampore Zuber Ahmad Bhat paying the driver from his own pocket.
They were provided free-of-cost accommodation by the Tehsil administration at JKEDI Pampore and their food was arranged by the local youth of Saffron town.
“The team from Uttar Pradesh was sent off today in presence of Tehsildar Pampore Zuber Ahmad Bhat after they lost their match in the knockout series,” Mir Aqib, a local cricketer told Kashmir Reader, adding that they hope the team joins them again next year.
Talking to Kashmir Reader, Sachin, captain of the UP team, said that they played but couldn’t win. “People and administration looked after us so nicely, they arranged our boarding and lodging,” he said, adding that their travel back home is also arranged by the local administration.
He thanked Tehsildar Pampore and other local youth for showing great hospitality to them. The Under-19 cricketers from UP participated in the Big Bash T-20 Tournament in Saffron Town Pampore.
“We were invited by local youth of the Saffron Town with whom we were already in contact,” the captain of the team said, adding that he asked his friends and all of them agreed to play. He said people at Pampore are very nice and provided free-of-cost accommodation, food and traveling to them at Pampore.
Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary welcomed the cricket players on Tuesday during the inaugural match of the tournament at Iqbal Stadium Tanchibagh Pampore.

BILAL HABIB