Kashmiri fast bowler given NOC needed to get visa to play in UK county cricket

Pacer Mehjoor Ali Sofi has been given the No Objection Certificate (NOC) needed to get a visa to play in county cricket in the UK, following the intervention of Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. The 25-year-old cricketer was denied the NOC by Iqbal Shah, General Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) on May 3. An official in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said the personal intervention of Mehbooba Mufti led to the budding cricketer getting the document last evening. He said the Chief Minister was keen that the cricketer should play in county cricket and made sure he got the necessary document. The cricketer has represented Jammu and Kashmir in one Ranji Trophy, four List A and five T20 matches. He has been invited by Chairman of Easton Tigers Cricket Club to play as an overseas amateur player during the 2016 English season commencing today. It will go on until September 4. The cricketer would leave for Delhi tomorrow.