New Delhi, Nov 11 (NationPress) At approximately 11:30 AM, in a largely empty Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday, Qamran Iqbal unleashed a powerful cut shot that secured the boundary, culminating in Jammu & Kashmir’s remarkable seven-wicket victory over Delhi on the final day of their Elite Group D Ranji Trophy match.

This victory marked J&K's first-ever triumph over Delhi in the 91-year history of the competition, with Iqbal playing a pivotal role by anchoring the chase during a crucial final hour on day three and ultimately achieving an impressive, unbeaten 133 off 147 balls – his inaugural century in first-class cricket.

For Iqbal, whose previous performance was inconsistent, having scored only 14 runs in the first innings, this unbeaten 133 could signify a turning point in his career. “I believe this is the best innings I've played so far. My career has been brief, but this knock stands out. Before batting in the second innings, our coaches encouraged me to play my game freely,” he said.

“The target was modest, so I was advised to play without pressure. I wanted to maintain momentum and keep the runs flowing from one side, which felt fantastic. Although the pitch seemed low on bounce, I focused on my natural game,” expressed a delighted Iqbal during an exclusive interview with IANS.

With his fluid strokeplay and exceptional one-handed shots, Iqbal quickly dominated Delhi’s bowling attack. “It's instinctual for me to execute one-handed shots. Occasionally, my bottom hand may slip, but these shots come naturally to me,” he stated.

When asked about the reaction of skipper and domestic batting veteran Paras Dogra after he hit the winning run, Iqbal replied, “Yes, Paras bhaiya was ecstatic and said ‘well played’ after I completed the winning shot. Overall, we were thrilled as a team to secure this outright win. Paras bhaiya was particularly jubilant at that moment.”

In light of this historic victory, Iqbal was quick to recognize the contributions of Auqib Nabi and Vanshaj Sharma, who delivered crucial performances with five-wicket and six-wicket hauls, respectively. “They played a significant role, especially on the third day. It was crucial to dismiss them early in the evening. The bowlers also performed admirably in the first innings,” he acknowledged.

This decisive win further solidified J&K’s growing prominence in domestic cricket. Having previously defeated Mumbai twice in their last three first-class encounters, the victory over Delhi, a seven-time Ranji Trophy champion in the national capital, emphasized the diminishing gap between smaller teams and traditional powerhouses.

Iqbal credited much of the team’s success to improved pre-season training under administrators, including former Delhi and J&K cricketer Mithun Manhas (prior to his appointment as BCCI President on September 28), Brigadier Anil Gupta, and Sunil Sethi. “This year, our pre-season training was exceptional. The administrators facilitated a thorough preparation, allowing us to play numerous matches and practice intensively. We also competed in the Buchi Babu tournament, reaching the semi-finals,” he noted.

“We engaged in practice matches against Punjab and Railways teams. Our performance last season was commendable as well, and this has fostered confidence within the team,” he added.

Head coach Ajay Sharma’s local insights proved invaluable, as evidenced by the team’s enthusiastic chants of ‘Ajju bhai’. “He is a cricketing legend who possesses extensive knowledge and continuously provides guidance. His advice has been invaluable,” Iqbal remarked.

“He advised us on how to approach a low wicket on day four, which was crucial. Each day, he shared his extensive knowledge of playing here, offering precise advice on the conditions we could expect. This significantly aided us,” he concluded.

Based in Srinagar’s Karan Nagar, Iqbal has been representing J&K since the U14 level and had a brief stint with the India U19 team. “From a young age, I was passionate about cricket and began playing in school. I started attending trials, and that’s how my cricket journey began,” he explained.

As J&K prepares to host Hyderabad in the upcoming Ranji Trophy round in Jammu before the competition pauses, Iqbal concluded by stating that the victory over Delhi would help maintain the momentum gained at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. “Now we have the advantage of playing at home. If we maintain a positive attitude, we can sustain our momentum. Our objective in this season’s domestic tournaments is to win as many matches as we can and ultimately lift the trophy. This time, we aim to be positive and give our best effort in every match. We hope to perform well across all games,” he stated.