Pulwama reclaims its nights with cricket under floodlights | Srinagar News

Srinagar: Not long ago, nights in south Kashmir’s Pulwama would march to the ominous rhythm of boots patrolling empty streets, the occasional crackle of wireless sets, and the glare of searchlights cutting through curtained windows.Last Monday, cricket became the colour of the night in this terrorism-scarred district as the enforced silence of decades made way for an uninhibited celebration of a sport that unites as much as it thrills.The inaugural match of Royal Premier League Pulwama, a day-night T20 cricket tournament backed by local MLA Waheed Parra and J&K Sports Council secretary Nuzhat Gul, turned the district stadium into a once-unimaginable medley of lights, sound and action lasting until midnight.Sports entrepreneur Irfan Sarkar, 26, beamed at the sight of the stadium awash in floodlights and brimming with fans. “Our knockout tournaments were successful, so I thought we should now organise a day-night event. Cricket is a craze in Kashmir and everyone loved the idea,” he told TOI.It took Irfan and his team nearly three months to prepare the pitch and arrange equipment, including floodlights, and sponsorships for the tournament. The reward was a successful opening night that brought to Pulwama fans from across the Valley.“We have 10 teams competing in this league. Almost every team includes cricketers from outside J&K, which gives the contest an extra edge. You will see players from Mumbai, Delhi and Karnataka, among other places,” Irfan said.Scheduled to run until September-end, the league offers lucrative prizes, including Rs 15 lakh for the Player of the Series. Although Wednesday’s match couldn’t be held because of heavy rain, fan frenzy didn’t suffer a washout.MLA Parra, who was at the stadium till the last ball of the opening match was bowled, termed the tournament “a game-changer” for not just Pulwama but the whole of J&K.“We are a young state with 65% of our population under 30, gripped by uncertainty and a sense of hopelessness due to a long period of turmoil. Events like these create space for our youth to heal and hope,” he said. “We don’t have stadiums and equipment to host day-night cricket. This initiative is the first of its kind in decades. All the equipment in use is rented.”Under lights, Royal Goodwill Cricket Club faced Sultan Warriors, a team from north Kashmir’s Baramulla. Both teams had two players each from outside J&K.Royal Goodwill’s Anuj Kumar, who took five wickets for the winning side and was adjudged Player of the Match, said this was the first time he had played in front of such a large crowd in J&K. “This is incredible,” said the player from Jammu’s Rajouri.