Rising Star from Azad Kashmir Selected for US Professional Cricket League
BAGH, Azad Jammu & Kashmir — A young cricketer from a remote village in Azad Kashmir has earned selection to play in an international professional cricket league, marking a significant milestone for the region’s sporting talent. Najam Naseer Kiani,all-rounder from Hammohra village in District Bagh, will represent his franchise in the Global Cricket League USA,…
BAGH, Azad Jammu & Kashmir — A young cricketer from a remote village in Azad Kashmir has earned selection to play in an international professional cricket league, marking a significant milestone for the region’s sporting talent.
Najam Naseer Kiani,all-rounder from Hammohra village in District Bagh, will represent his franchise in the Global Cricket League USA, an International Cricket Council-approved Twenty20 competition scheduled to run from January 23 to February 1, 2026.
The left-handed batsman and left-arm orthodox spinner has navigated a remarkable path from regional youth cricket to the international stage. His journey began with Azad Jammu & Kashmir’s Under-16 and Under-19 teams before progressing to first-class cricket with the AJK regional squad.
Kiani’s talent caught national attention when he secured a place at the Pakistan Under-19 National Cricket Academy. He subsequently joined the Lahore Qalandars Player Development Program, where he trained alongside Pakistan internationals and under professional coaching staff.
His domestic experience includes representing Jammu Janbaz in the Kashmir Premier League under the captaincy of former Pakistan star Shahid Afridi, sharing the dressing room with established names including Faheem Ashraf, Kamran Akmal, and Mohammad Amir.
The Global Cricket League USA features six franchise teams representing major American cities, with matches to be played at Broward County Cricket Stadium in Florida. The tournament will be broadcast internationally, providing exposure for emerging talent from cricket’s developing markets.
Cricket officials and local communities have welcomed Kiani’s selection as evidence that talent from Pakistan’s remote regions can compete at the highest levels when given appropriate pathways and opportunities.
The league represents part of cricket’s expansion in the United States, which co-hosted the ICC T20 World Cup in 2024 and is positioning itself as a growing market for the sport.
