Forget Lord’s, forget the MCG – Kashmir just dropped a MIC with the Sheikh-Ul-Alam Sports Ground in Tarzoo Sopore, and it’s got everyone shook!
The Sheikh-Ul-Alam sports ground Tarzoo recently went viral after a photo taken by Bilal Ahmad Dar, a multimedia journalist based in Sopore, captured the ground in all its glory during the inauguration match of the Wular Premier League 2024. The photo shows the lush green ground surrounded by Kashmiri willow trees, the stadium’s boundary is formed naturally by a clearing among the verdant foliage. It’s a fitting tribute to Kashmir’s renowned willow, which produces some of the finest cricket bats in the world and it’s no wonder people are comparing it to the picturesque grounds of New Zealand and Australia. It looks like a vibrant green carpet has been rolled out in the middle of a forest! The ground is dotted with players, officials and spectators enjoying the match.
The image has been doing the rounds on social media, with many users commenting on the ground’s natural beauty. Some have even called it a “fairytale” cricket ground.
Cricket fans are comparing this stunning venue to the famous cricket grounds of New Zealand and Australia, known for their incredible scenery.
“Not England, not New Zealand, this stadium is in #Sopore, my home town, popularly known as the Apple town of Kashmir. The boundary is formed naturally by a clearing among Kashmiri willow trees. How apt is that given that this tree gives us the best cricket bats! This ’natural stadium’ if developed can become the best stadium of the country. But development in our region is limited to TV studios and front pages of newspapers.” wrote a user while sharing the photo of Sheikh-Ul-Alam sports ground Tarzoo on Facebook.
Cricket has long been a beloved sport in Kashmir, and the Wular Premier League aims to provide a platform for local talent to showcase their skills, besides saving them from substance abuse. Named after the largest freshwater body of the world, Wular Premier League is already famous across India, and cricketers from across Kashmir, including big names, are participating in this league every year.
The comparison to the iconic cricket grounds of New Zealand and Australia, known for their scenic backdrops and lush outfields, is a testament to the natural beauty that Kashmir has to offer. As the Wular Premier League continues, cricket enthusiasts and nature lovers alike can look forward to witnessing thrilling matches set against the breathtaking backdrop of this picturesque cricket ground, a true celebration of the region’s sporting spirit and natural wonders.
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