Medium-pacer wants to make Kashmir proud by winning matches for Singams
Farhat Ahmad is one of two players from Jammu & Kashmir in Chennai Singams’ squad for the upcoming second edition of the Indian Street Premier League (ISPL), and the talented fast-medium bowler is eager to pull his weight for the team.Last year’s semi-finalists Chennai Singams will open their campaign against Falcon Risers Hyderabad on January 27, day two of the extended season that will run for 21 days at the Dadoji Konddev Stadium in Thane and feature more exciting matches for both, the teams and spectators.“I was a part of Chennai Singams in the inaugural season last year and we made it to the semi-finals. Although I didn’t get to play in the XI, the recognition of being with the Singams in the ISPL is easily the highlight of my cricket career,” said Ahmad, who lives in Kashmir with his mother and younger sister.
“During the player auction for this season I was hoping to be picked by Chennai Singams again and I am grateful to God for that. I love this team, and I want to play this year and win matches for Singams and make Kashmir proud,” added 30-year-old Ahmad, who owns an apple business in his hometown.Taking to the game as most kids in India do, Ahmad as a teenager made a name for himself in Kashmir’s tennis ball cricket circles. Although he went on to play club cricket with the cricket ball, he continued to play tennis ball cricket tournaments as it was his passion.ISPL is a dream-come-true platform for us,” said Ahmad, who wasbought at his base price of Rs 3 lakh which he proposes to invest in his business.
“Not many expected a professional franchise league for tennis ball cricket. However, with the expansion of franchise-based sport and the sheer popularity of tennis ball and gully cricket, it always had the potential and gully cricketers were always hopeful,” said Ahmad, whose bowling idol is Australia quick Pat Cummins.
“ISPL is a spectacular platform and gives tennis ball cricket lovers an amazing opportunity, we are grateful,” he concluded.
Chennai Singams Squad
Icon Player: Deepak Dogra | All-Rounder | North Zone
Zone Wise Break–Up
• South Zone: R. Thavith Kumar (All-Rounder), Siyyadri (Batter), V. Vignesh (All-Rounder)
• West Zone: Shubam Sangale (Bowler), Vedant Mayekar (All-Rounder), Ketan Mhatre – RTM (Batter), Sumeet Dhekale – RTM (Batter), Rahul Sawant (All-Rounder), Jignesh Patel (All-Rounder)
• East Zone: Jagat Sarkar (Batter), David Gogoi (Bowler)
• North Zone: Anurag Sharshar (Bowler), Farhat Ahmad (Bowler)
• Central Zone: Prashant Gharat (Batter), Mohammed Zeeshan (Bowler)
