Saqib to support a noble cause

It’s not widely known that actor Saqib Saleem is also a state-level cricketer and has played for the Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir cricket teams. He hasn’t played cricket professionally for a while, but it seems Saqib is channelling his passion for the sport for a cause — the actor is planning to support a cricket match for visually challenged players that is scheduled to take place in January in Delhi.

Saqib has also arranged to provide the players free training at a coaching institute. Saqib, who is currently shooting for Race 3, says, “For me, passion supersedes everything and just the passion that these special players have for the game made me want to associate with them. I grew up in Delhi and played majority of the cricket there, so I know the cricketing community there. So, I asked my coaches if these players could practice at their grounds. They were more than happy to facilitate it.”

Talking about the sport, he says, “I remember getting my first bat when I was only four, and I have loved the game ever since. In fact, I was training to be a cricketer for most of my life.I started training professionally at the age of eight and continued playing until I graduated from college. I’ve represented Delhi at the under-19 level and then changed states and went to Jammu and Kashmir for a year. I went on to captain my college team.” Actor Saqib Saleem is also a statelevel cricketer, and has played for Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir cricket teams