A teenage cricketer from south Kashmir, who caught the eye of former India pacer Irfan Pathan two years ago, has emerged as the star of Kulgam’s triumph in a UT-level Under-14 cricket tournament featuring teams from all 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir.Details available with News Agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) Moomin Liyakat, a resident of Matibugh Yaripora in Kulgam district, claimed 11 wickets and scored 124 runs across just three matches to emerge as the central figure in his team’s title run at the IUDL Under-14 Cricket Tournament held in Kishtwar.
The Youth Services and Sports (YSS) Kulgam team lifted the trophy after defeating Anantnag in the final. Batting first, Kulgam posted 192 runs in 18 overs before bowling out Anantnag for 78 to secure a convincing victory.
Moomin’s association with Pathan dates back to March 2023, when — then just nine years old — he caught the former India international’s attention at an event at the Cricket Academy of Pathans (CAP) in Jaipur.Impressed by the young batter’s technique, Irfan Pathan had said he would “surely keep an eye on him.” Moomin subsequently trained at the academy and was provided cricket kits.
Team coaches Wani Shiraz and Mudasir Malik were credited with guiding the young side through the competition.
It is heartening to see young talent shining and reaching new heights in sports, setting an example for those involved in wrong practices, a group of sports enthusiasts from Kulgam told Kashmir News Service (KNS) reacting to the triumph that has brought pride to the district. The win, they said, underscores Kulgam’s growing reputation for producing junior cricket talent, with Moomin’s performance marking him as one of the promising prospects to emerge from the region.
