Qamran Iqbal reaches CoE early, gears up for North Zone Duleep challenge
Jammu & Kashmir opener Qamran Iqbal arrived at the BCCI Centre of Excellence four days before the Duleep Trophy, avoiding the frantic travel that marked his Ranji final debut.
Qamran Iqbal, the 24-year-old opening batsman from Jammu & Kashmir, landed at the BCCI Centre of Excellence in New Delhi four days ahead of the Duleep Trophy, giving him ample time to acclimatise before North Zone’s opening match versus West Zone. Earlier this season, Iqbal had rushed 2,800 kilometres in 15 hours to play a Ranji Trophy final, where he scored an unbeaten 160 to clinch the title for his state. He attributes that success to the Jammu & Kashmir Cricket Association’s improved facilities and the guidance of officials such as Mithun Manhas and coach Ajay Sharma.
Iqbal, a former India Under-19 opener who once shared the crease with Yashasvi Jaiswal, sees the Duleep tournament as the next step in his career. He highlighted the value of off-season exposure tours and pre-season tournaments like the Buchi Babu competition in sharpening the team’s readiness. The early arrival underscores his intent to build on the Ranji victory and pursue greater achievements with North Zone.
Why it matters
Iqbal's early preparation could boost North Zone's performance and highlights growing cricket infrastructure in Jammu & Kashmir.
In this story
