Over 200 Kashmiris aged 15-20 registered for the trials at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium in Srinagar.

"The MRF (Madras Rubber Factory) Pace Foundation in Chennai felt the need of conducting trials here after we saw the performance of two young fast bowlers from the valley -- Abid Nabi and Sami Ullah," said Srinath.

Nabi, a tall and well-built youth, has already caught the selectors' eye with impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Srinath said Kashmiri cricketers had "lots of talent" but lacked proper exposure.

"There is also a need to put in place the infrastructure," said Srinath, who bagged 236 wickets in 67 Tests and 315 in 229 one-day internationals.

Kashmir is in the grip of a 16-year-old insurgency against Indian rule that has claimed more than 44,000 lives.