Indian lensman’s photo at Lord’s

Like any other youngster, Saqib Majeed had a dream of playing cricket for India, but he went into the photography field instead. The young Kashmiri photographer was on cloud nine recently when one of his images on autumnal cricket in Kashmir won the 2016 Wisden-MCC Cricket Photograph of the Year.

Speaking exclusively from Srinagar, he says, “I am extremely delighted and feel very elated on winning the first prize of £2,000 from the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC). When this photo caught everyone’s attention and earned fame, I felt my wishes turning into reality. I am overjoyed that this photo finds a place in Wisden, the Bible of Cricket, with Virat Kohli on its cover page and that it would also be displayed at the new Warner Stand at Lord’s, where visitors will view it all year round.”

He adds, “After covering a bloody summer agitation in Kashmir, both my heart and mind were searching for a click to soothe aggravated minds. Wandering through gardens and watching huge chinar trees turning into magical shades at sunset is my favorite activity.”

Talking about how he shot the much acclaimed photograph, Saqib says, “I took a journey to Nishat Bagh, one of the famous Mughal Gardens of Kashmir, when I saw a group of boys playing cricket under the chinar trees. The scene is still fresh in my mind. I took position at the best possible location, 35 feet above the field where the boys were playing.”

The young photographer, who is an engineer by profession adds, “This image carries a lot of stories. It is not just a glorified picture of cricket or colours in the autumn but a sign of life itself.”