League national platform for emerging cricketers; Trials to begin from June; inaugural season in Sep
SRINAGAR, APRIL 17 – Irfan Pathan, a former Indian cricketer, highlighted the untapped passion of Kashmir’s youth for cricket, calling for consistent opportunities and better infrastructure to help them excel.
Speaking at the launch of the EPIC Victory Cricket League (EVCL) in Srinagar, Pathan expressed his excitement for the upcoming tournament aimed at putting regional talent in the spotlight.
“I’ve seen it first-hand – a left-arm pacer from Kupwara, boys from Baramulla… they have the fire. What’s missing is exposure and proper training,” said Pathan during the press conference in Srinagar.
He said, “We are not just looking for good cricketers, but for those with the hunger and spirit to make it big.”
The EVCL, which will kick off its inaugural season this September, is set to feature both local players from Jammu and Kashmir and cricketers from other parts of India. The league aims to give budding cricketers a platform to showcase their talent and compete on a national stage.
“This is not just a tournament; it is a platform to change lives,” Pathan stressed, noting the impact the league could have in providing young cricketers with an opportunity to get noticed and progress in their careers.
Pathan, who has also worked with the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), also stressed the importance of improving cricket infrastructure in the region. “Many districts still play on matting wickets. Turf wickets are essential if we want to prepare players for national-level competitions,” he added.
Similarly, the EVCL will feature a pool of over 200 players, with trials set to take place in 20 cities from June 15 to July 31, 2025. These trials are open to male cricketers aged 17 to 39, offering them a chance to join the league’s various teams. The selected players will then get the opportunity to play alongside seasoned domestic players and gain valuable mentorship.
“I am excited to bring cricket back to Kashmir and showcase the incredible talent that this region holds,” Pathan said. “The people of Kashmir now have the chance to witness live cricket action, and I urge all aspiring cricketers to register for this incredible opportunity.”
Notably, the trials will be overseen by a selection committee that includes experts from state cricket associations and the EVCL apex council.
Vikas Dhaka, the League Owner, said the league is not just about showcasing talent but providing a platform for cricketers from diverse backgrounds who might have otherwise missed out on major opportunities.
“This is not just another competition. It is about providing a stage to people who have missed opportunities and showcasing the incredible depth of cricket talent in India,” Dhaka said.
Meanwhile, a statement issued to KNO, reads, the EPIC Victory Cricket League (EVCL), a franchise-based T20 tournament, will kick off its inaugural season in Kashmir this September. The league, launched today by Irfan Pathan in Srinagar, is set to bring together both local and international cricket talent, alongside former Ranji players from the Jammu and Kashmir region.
It reads as follows: the EVCL will feature a pool of over 200 players, with trials set to take place in 20 cities, beginning June 15, 2025, and concluding July 31, 2025. These trials are open to male cricketers aged 17 to 39, offering them a chance to join the league’s various teams. The selected players will then get the opportunity to play alongside seasoned domestic players and gain valuable mentorship.
“I am excited to bring cricket back to Kashmir and showcase the incredible talent that this region holds,” said Irfan Pathan, Former Indian Cricketer. “The people of Kashmir now have the chance to witness live cricket action, and I urge all aspiring cricketers to register for this incredible opportunity,” the statement reads.
It also states that registrations for the trials will open soon on the official EVCL online portal. The trials are open to male cricketers aged 17 to 39, and players will be scouted under the supervision of a selection committee that includes experts from state cricket associations and the EVCL apex council.
“The EVCL will be broadcast on a leading OTT platform in over seven languages, including English, Hindi, Kashmiri, and Dogri, allowing regional audiences to enjoy the matches in their native languages,” the statement reads, adding the complete trials schedule: Srinagar: 15/06/2025, Jammu: 20/06/2025, Gorakhpur: 27/06/2025, Varanasi: 29/06/2025, Prayagraj: 01/07/2025, Ayodhya: 03/07/2025, Lucknow: 05/07/2025, Azamgarh: 07/07/2025, Kanpur: 09/07/2025, Bareilly: 11/07/2025, Moradabad: 13/07/2025, Aligarh: 15/07/2025, Agra: 17/07/2025, Ghaziabad: 19/07/2025, Meerut: 21/07/2025, Bijnor: 23/07/2025, Saharanpur: 25/07/2025, Shamli: 27/07/2025, Muzaffarnagar: 29/07/2025, Baraut: 31/07/2025
