Auqib Nabi: There’s more where he comes from - Sheeri locals

SRINAGAR: The early December winter failed to dampen the mood in Sheeri village of Baramulla, north Kashmir after local boy Auqib Nabi — fondly called ‘North Kashmir Express’ — emerged as one of the region’s biggest cricketing success stories.Residents from Sheeri and adjoining areas gathered outside his two-storey home after the 29-year-old pacer was picked up by the Delhi Capitals for Rs 8.4 crore at the mini auction in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.

Men danced to drumbeats while women sang Kashmiri folk songs, turning the usually quiet village into a scene of jubilation. Despite freezing temperatures with Srinagar recording minus 2.9 degrees Celsius on Monday, celebrations carried on, at times under mobile phone lights as Sheeri remained without electricity due to a scheduled power cut today.

Till late evening, groups of youngsters beat drums and marched along the main Sheeri road, expressing their joy.Inside the house, Nabi’s mother, Mehmooda Begum, distributed sweets to well-wishers who poured in to congratulate the family. Residents garlanded his father, Ghulam Nabi, a government school teacher, who was visibly moved and broke down in tears.“He is a down-to-earth cricketer who began his journey on the streets of our village,” neighbour Riyaz Ahmad Ganai said.

“I have always seen him calm and focused. His dream has always been to play for the Indian national team, and that day is not far away now,” he said.Ghulam Nabi said the family initially hoped his son would pursue medicine. “But when I saw his dedication and hard work, I fully backed him in his cricketing pursuits,” he said.“I always believed he would make it.” Auqib’s younger brother Imran Nabi is pursuing masters in Mass Communication and Journalism from the University of Kashmir.Another neighbour said Nabi’s rise was remarkable given the lack of basic facilities in the area. “There is no proper cricket ground here. His success shows his resolve and determination,” he said, adding top selectors of the country should visit Baramulla to identify more promising players.“There are many more,” he added. Ghulam Nabi Wani, another resident, called Nabi’s success a message for the youth of Kashmir. “It shows that hard work and focus pays off,” he said.