J&K association bans Nabi for joining ICL

Cricket could have brought Kashmir and the North-East to the national mainstream for the right reasons.

Cricket could have brought Kashmir and the North-East to the national mainstream for the right reasons. Abid Nabi of Jammu and Kashmir and Abu Nechim Ahmed of Assam were seen as prospects to become the first from their respective states to don the India cap. But the duo blew the opportunity away by defecting to the Indian Cricket League. On Friday, the ICL formally announced that their names, when they announced the 17 that had joined the league.

And today in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) banned Nabi and Truv Mahajan, for joining the ICL.

The JKCA general secretary Saleem Khan said the BCCI has been informed about the decision to cancel the registration of Nabi and Mahajan which renders them ineligible to play in any competition organised by the cricket’s governing body in the country and its affiliates.

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But Nabi and Nechim both feel they have taken the right decision. “I am aware of the fact that no one has played from the valley for India yet. But I don’t think I would have either. I have been performing so consistently but I haven’t got my share of chances. Aur Kitna karu?” asked Nabi.

For Nechim too, the decision wasn’t easy. “I know it would have been a landmark for the state had I made it to Team India. So yes, somewhere deep inside it hurts,” says Nechim.

Police personnel seen to control the situation during a massive protest over the statehood demand and the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule, in Leh on Wednesday. (ANI Video Grab)

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