Srinagar, May 29: In the cramped lanes of Barzulla, a bustling Srinagar neighbourhood where space is scarce and playgrounds scarcer, a group of young cricket enthusiasts refused to let their dreams be washed away. Instead, they turned an unlikely space—a flood spill channel—into their very own cricket ground.
This isn’t a story of big budgets or government support. It’s the story of Sahil, Faisal, Moomin, Uzaib, Taha, and dozens of other boys—some as young as 13—who pooled their pocket money, sweat and sheer determination to carve out a place where they could play the game they love.
For years, these boys had no proper ground in their area. They played wherever they could—on cramped sidewalks, between buildings, or even travelling to distant fields in Natipora or Budgam. The local flood channel was used for football, but cricket? Impossible. Or so it seemed. “We always dreamed of a real pitch,” says Moomin, a local shopkeeper and one of the driving forces behind the effort. “But no one was giving us one. So, we thought—why not build it ourselves?”
Turning Dream into a Reality
Three months ago, the idea took shape. Without waiting for permission or help, the boys got to work. Sahil, a student and one of the leaders of the initiative, recalls: “We didn’t overthink it. We just started collecting money, hauling soil, and shaping the ground.” Their team was a mix of students, small businessmen and schoolboys—each contributing what they could. Some gave up their weekly allowance; others gave their time and muscle. Older local cricketers, who still played despite busy jobs, chipped in with advice and small donations. “The real work was ours,” Moomin says. “We carried water in buckets, levelled the ground, put up fencing—even chased away cows that kept trampling the pitch!”
A Community’s Pride
Today, what was once a neglected flood channel is now a buzzing cricket ground. Kids flock here every morning and evening, and locals gather to watch matches, cheering on the young players.
“This isn’t just our ground anymore—it belongs to everyone here,” Moomin says with pride. “Before this, our youth had nothing. Now, they have a place to belong.” While official cricket facilities in Srinagar are concentrated in areas like Bemina or Narbal, Barzulla had long been overlooked. “We didn’t get a single rupee from any authority,” Sahil says matter-of-factly. But they aren’t complaining. They’re too busy playing.
What’s Next?
The boys now dream of hosting local tournaments to give hidden talents a chance. “Many kids can’t afford to travel to big stadiums,” says Faisal. “We want to bring the game to them.” For Moomin, the mission is deeper than cricket. “I’m not doing this for fame. I’m doing it because our youth deserve better than getting lost in negativity. This ground gives them hope.” Despite the challenges—flimsy fences, unpredictable weather, and the constant threat of the Jhelum’s waters—the boys of Barzulla aren’t giving up. They’ll repair, rebuild, and keep playing. Because this is more than just a pitch. It’s their pride, their struggle, and their triumph. To keep their community connected, the team has even started an Instagram page @barzullahcricketfraternity where they share match updates and rally support. “We want to build something lasting,” Moomin says.
