Hilal Ahmad Wani from South Kashmir is making waves in international cricket this month. Hilal Ahmad Wani had his bowling games ever in two matches in a row against England. During the Vitality IT20 Mixed Disability series Hilal Ahmad Wani took four wickets at Arundel. Then took another four wickets when India won by 118 runs at the famous Lords Cricket Ground.
The all-rounder from Arigohol Akad in Anantnags Mattan area was the star with the ball. India finished their tour of England with a win even though England had already won the seven-match series 4-3. In the game at Lords Hilal Ahmad Wani took 4 for 21. Hilal Ahmad Wani and Jayesh Parmar, who took 3 for 14 destroyed the order of England. This helped bowl England out for 88 runs after India scored 206 for 4.India reached that thanks to Arjun Gawre, who scored 68 runs off 44 balls very fast. Captain Majid Magray also played great scoring a 63 runs from only 19 balls. This gave Hilal Ahmad Wani and the other bowlers a chance to win. This was Indias win at Lords in two tours. India also won at Lords during the 2025 series, which was the international disability cricket match ever held there.
After the win the Indian players went up to the Lords balcony. They acted out the moment when Sourav Ganguly waved his shirt in the 2002 NatWest Trophy final. This video is spreading fast on media through the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI).
Earlier in the series Hilal Ahmad Wani also took four wickets at Arundel. This shows that Hilal Ahmad Wani is becoming one of the trusted bowlers for India in the mixed disability format. This format brings together players with disabilities learning disabilities and hearing impairments on one team. The Vitality IT20 series is run by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and the DCCI. The series helps make disability cricket more popular around the world.
Even though England won the series India is getting much better. India lost 6-1 in their series in 2025 and lost again at home this year so winning this match is a big step for the young Indian team.
For Hilal Ahmad Wani, this tour in England is another achievement. Hilal Ahmad Wani is 30 years old. Lost his hearing and speech when he was three. Hilal Ahmad Wani has played for Indias cricket team before. He was the Man of the Series at the World Deaf Cricket League in Dubai after scoring 70 runs off 29 balls and taking three wickets in the final. Hilal Ahmad Wani also captained the Jammu and Kashmir cricket team and led the North Zone team to many wins before joining the national team.
The great play by Hilal Ahmad Wani is showing the world how talent there is in J&K disability cricket. Another player, Umar Ashraf Beigh is also getting noticed. The Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association recently gave both players high-quality gear for their games. Back in Anantnag, the family of Hilal Ahmad Wani says his hard work and love for cricket inspires young players in the Valley.
As the India mixed disability team gets stronger, on the world stage the story of Hilal Ahmad Wani shows what can happen with work and talent. Hilal Ahmad Wani is proving his one wicket at a time.
Wani’s latest display at Lord’s also highlights the growing visibility of athletes from Jammu and Kashmir in international disability cricket. His journey from Anantnag to one of cricket’s most iconic grounds has given local players another example of how sporting talent can overcome significant challenges. With his ability to contribute with both bat and ball, Wani is emerging as an important figure in India’s expanding mixed disability cricket setup.
