Neelum Valley - Gem of Pakistan

The valley is characterized by beautiful grass covered hills with sparse trees. The sceneries in this area are exhilarating but the scenic beauty of the Neelum valley is paralleled by no other place in the world. It is a valley of fountains, springs, waterfalls, flowering trees and plants. Geographically too, it is a hospitable valley. The swaying lush green forests, snow capped mountains, streams singing songs of joy and fast flowing river Neelum, all go together to make it naturalist’s wonderland.  This area is also ideal for mountain tourism.

Description:

Neelum Valley lies on both sides of the river Neelum. The geographical features enhance the natural beauty of the Valley. Its elevation, a mere 2,000 feet at the start, gradually rises till it attains a respectable height of 8,000 feet. On both sides there are high mountains and peaks. Nearly all the forest wealth of Azad Kashmir is to be found in this part of the State.

Neelum Valley is formed by the Neelum river that flows in Azad Kashmir. Running through the Lesser Himalaya, the 200km Neelam River is Azad Kashmir’s main attraction. The Neelam river and a side valley, the Jagran Nala, are stocked with trout. Trails cross several 4000m passes into the Kaghan Valley.

Accessibility :

The valley is connected from Muzaffarabad by Neelam road, which leads up to Kel. The road condition from Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam is very good and suitable for any kind of transport. From Keran to Kel road condition is not well and not suitable for low floor vehicles. In winters road onward Keran block due to heavy snowfall and it is very difficult to reach upper parts of the valley.

Vans serve is only Muzaffarabad to Athmuqam after every 30 minutes. Buses run daily between Muzaffarabad and Kel in good weather. Jeeps and horses are available to reach remote areas of the valley.

Must Visit Places:

Jura: The most popular and most populated area in district neelum is jura, which is famous for its Bazar and its beautiful places and highest mountains. There are many colleges, private and government schools, hospitals and other facilities. In the village the Awan Family is mostly available.

Dudhnial It is a very famous and beautiful town of Neelum Valley. There is a government college, Girls high school and Hospital and other government offices. There are many shops and restaurants. Private rest houses facility is also available there.

Sharda: The most beautiful village of the valley located 19 kilometers (12 mi) ahead from Sharda at the altitude of 6,879 feet (2,097 m). Few private hotels and a rest house of AJK Tourism Department located there for tourists stay. It also has bank, college, hospital and market.

Tehjian: Tehjian is most beautiful Village of Neelum Valley. Total Population of Tehjian is nearly 5000, There is 40 years old Middle School, but for highly populated village there is no Post Office or Basic Health Unit. Few private hotels and a tourist hostel of AJK Tourism Department located there for tourists stay.

2016 - ICC World Twenty20

Having being hammered in the recent Asia Cup , the chances of Pakistan team to perform well in the tournament are bleak. Since its the T20 format, surprise can be expected.

Lets us review each team's chances in this world T20

1.      India:

• India in India can be the toughest opponent for any team. They know the conditions better than anyone and they have one of the noisiest crowd behind them.
• They have proved themselves in the Asia Cup, how consistent they are. and are currently at no. at ICC T20 ranking. 
• As always India’s batting is their strength. When it comes to Indian conditions they are even better. Kohli is probably one of the best T20 batsman in the world with highest average (44) among the players who have played 20 or more matches.
• Everyone knows how dangerous Rohit Sharma can be in the shorter formats. If he starts to fire, then consider the game is definitely India’s to lose. Suresh Raina is a very destructive batsman in T20 who can chip in with those crucial overs in bowling.
• In Dhoni they have a finisher and Jadeja’s all-round abilities will be a lot of help.
• Their spin department looks strong with Ashwin, Jadeja and Mishra but fast bowling is a big worry. Especially in the death overs. Shami’s fitness is still a problem, Bhuvi has stopped swinging the ball and Ishant – I don’t know. Their chances depend on how they bowl in death overs.

2.       Pakistan:

• Pakistan. I love watching them play cricket. There is some kind of raw element in them that makes their cricket exciting.
• Very unpredictable yet very strong. Their bowling has never been a worry, they have a bottomless pool of good fast bowlers.
• Shahid Afridi has been really good with the ball for Pakistan in T20s. His variations bring him a lot of wickets.
• There batting is strong in terms of talent. Ahmed Shehzad can be really good at times, same with Umar Akmal. But it depends a lot on how they perform together.
• Shoab Malik’s form is a positive sign for them and generally Hafeez is consistent in Asian conditions. Lot depends on these two.
• With a strong bowling attack they can make difference in the tournament.

3.       Australia:

• The current world champions in ODI cricket. The only team in top 3 in all the three formats.
• They have got the batting in David Warner, Steve Smith, Maxwell and Finch. These guys have experience in IPL, are destructive and consistent. A deadly combination. They have a finisher and a good all-rounder in Faulkner.
• Mithcell Starc is at top of his game. His injury is very unfortunate for Australia but he should be fit before the world cup starts. Their bowling is in good hands. Watson can chip in with some overs and his experience helps a lot for the team. Faulkner is decent. Cummins is fast.
• They only worry they have is the lack of a quality spinner. Maxwell is a decent spinner. Lyon hasn’t bowled much in colors for Australia. Not sure how are they going to go about it.

4.       England:

• England off late have changed the way of approach to the game. They have become more aggressive, and are adapting better to the shorter format. They were always good in whites but from the past year they are doing really good in shorter formats too.
• The ODI and T20 series win in Abu Dhabi against Pakistan might have given them a huge morale boost. Their batting looks strong with Alex Hales on top, Joe Root, Eon Morgan and the dangerous Jos Butler in the middle order.
• Their bowling is decent but again lack of a quality spinner will hurt them.
• Their chances will depend on the ability to play spin bowling in Indian conditions, it’s difficult but they have a chance

5.       South Africa:

• Undoubtedly they have one of the best batting lineups in the tournament. I don’t want to mention about ABD here, he is just unbelievable.
• Amla, Faf, Miller, De Cock and Duminy. Even without ABD’s name over there it still looks very very strong.
• Steyn and Morkel have not played much T20 cricket in the recent times but I think they will play the world cup. Kyle Abbott is consistent, Duminy can chip in. Imran Tahir is very effective in ODIs and T20s. Steyn and Tahir will be key for their chances.
• But, you know they are South Africa. Always starts as favorites and then fail to cross the line. Hopefully if they can do it this time it would be wonderful.

6.       West Indies :

• This team will be very hard to beat in T20 because of their explosive, hard hitting players .
• They have Chris Gayle who needs no introduction on how destructive he can be. The fact that the tournament is being played in India will give lot of confidence for the West Indies players as they are so used to these conditions playing in IPL. 
• Their biggest problem though is playing together and consistent. They have got the talent to beat any team on a given day but can they do it on regular basis? If they can, it would be very difficult to stop them.

7.       New Zealand:

• New Zealand have the bowling, batting and fielding. They do play very good in ICC tournaments
• Their batting is strong with McCullum, Williamson, Taylor, and Anderson.
• Their fast bowling is in good hands with Southee and Boult but spin is a worry.
• They didn’t find a good spinner after Vettori reduced playing international cricket. Their chances again depends on the ability to play spin in Indian Conditions.

8.       Srilanka:

• With Sangrakarra and Jayawardene retired there will be lot of pressure on Mathews to be consistent in the middle order. Thisara Perera can be an attacking all-rounder and Chandimal is talented, but still the middle order looks weak.

My pick for the 4 Finalist will be:

• Australia
• India