Srinagar's Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium prepares to host Irani Cup after 40-year gap

The Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar hosts the Irani Cup from Thursday — the first major fixture in Kashmir in 40 years. The last international match here was an ODI against Australia in 1986.

West Indies played the first international at the ground in October 1983, but protestors dug up the pitch during lunch and the match ended with West Indies 28 runs ahead. A full house still created an atmosphere that lingered.

J&K's recent Ranji Trophy title gives the return extra weight. Players such as Parvez Rasool, Auqib Nabi, Umran Malik and Rasikh Salam have already moved from that setup into national squads.