In a remarkable boost for women’s cricket in Kashmir, Mel Juniper, a coach with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and umpire in the Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL), visited Baramulla and officiated a match in the ongoing Gen Bipin Rawat Memorial Kashmir Women’s Premier League (KWPL).
Juniper praised the growing cricket talent among Kashmiri women, expressing confidence that many could reach national and international levels. The KWPL, organized by the Indian Army’s Dagger Division in collaboration with the Baramulla Cricket Forum and district administration, began today at the General Bipin Rawat Stadium. Dedicated to India’s first Chief of Defence Staff, Late Gen Bipin Rawat, the event promotes women’s empowerment through sports.
In the inaugural matches, Baramulla defeated Kupwara by 125 runs, with Jasia Akhtar scoring an unbeaten 102 off 46 balls to earn Player of the Match. Bandipora overcame Srinagar by 65 runs, as Anisa Majeed scored 75 off 46 balls to claim the Player of the Match award.
