A record partnership of 251 runs between a Kashmiri Muslim and a Pandit in Dubai’s Kashmir Super League (KSL) is a rare joint feat rejoiced by the two communities, which parted on a bitter note in a major displacement in January of 1990, in the face of raging militancy in J&K.
Openers Sandeep Bhan, a migrant Kashmiri Pandit whose family never returned to Kashmir after their migration 1990, and Rajab Abid, a current resident of Srinagar, bonded on the field at the Ajman Cricket Council Grounds in Dubai to build a record partnership in the ongoing KSL, a series started four years ago by Kashmiris living overseas.
“The team and the spectators were exhilarated when Captain Abid scored 142 not out in 62 balls with the help of seven fours and 13 sixes. I scored 109 not out in 58 balls with the help of nine fours and eight sixes on January 4. We were backing up each other in Kashmiri phrases to reach the feat,” Bhan told The Hindu.
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Mr. Bhan, an employee in Dubai, is among four other Pandit players representing the Razey Kadal Felcons (RKF) team, a name adopted from an area located in Srinagar’s old city that was once a hub of Muslims and Pandits before 1990s. Around 14 teams named after the places in Kashmir participating in the tournament. The RKF was playing Safakadal Stars and won the match because the record partnership.
Kashmiri Pandits are participating for the first time in the cricket league, helping to mend the broken bonds between the two communities. The timing could not have been more opportune than 2019, as the migration of hundreds of Pandit families will complete 30 years on January 19.
“Slowly, we are building a bond which will last forever. I love to spend time with native Kashmiri speaking team members. I was in Class 5 when out family left the Valley,” said Mr. Bhan, originally from Srinagar’s Chanapora and migrated to Indirapuram in Ghaziabad.
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Abid, a resident of Barbar Shah and works in a cellular company in Dubai, said, “It’s a great feeling the team have players from other community. Unfortunately, the Pandits disappeared under unfortunate circumstances. Even after 30 years, as I met Bhan first time it didn't feel like strangers.”
Farooq Peerzada, owner of Razey Kadal Felcons, sees the newly-found bond as dream come true. “It is my wish to see the two communities reunite. My only memory of Pandits was my school time teacher Nimmi and Veena ji when I was Class 3rd. I am still searching for them,” said Peerzada.
He said the KSL-4 has brought the two together where the two communities “share good moments”, as politics continue to keep the relations sour between them.
“I hope this effort will repair the damaged social fabric. Our next plan is to ask everyone to bring families to the ground on semi finals and finals etc. so that women folk will also mingle with each other,” said Mr. Peerzada.
Sandeep may not have visited Kashmir since the winter vacation of 1989, Abid ensures he stay in touch with Pandit friends.
Around 30,000 Kashmiris live in Dubai, comprising around 500 Pandit families.