Excellent cricket during first week of new league

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen with Rochdale Sports and Cultural Links executive members.

5 More Image(s) In Gallery

There was some excellent cricket on show as Rochdale Sports and Cultural Links' new indoor league started this weekend.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen formally opened the tournament and showed off his own batting skills before the ten teams started the league.

Mr Rowen said: "I am very pleased to see that these kind of sporting activities are organised for young people to keep them healthy and active and at the same time keep them off the street and out of trouble. I would like to praise the main organisers Abdul Quyyom, Mohammed Siddique and Qunain Shah for their hard work."

Game 1

The First game of the tournament was between Baba XI and Rochdalians. Rochdalins batted first and scored 138 runs. Their main contributors were Hameed who scored 30 runs not out and Malik with 20 runs. Baba XI scored 117 runs and a couple of their batsman showed resistance including Shakeel (12 runs), and Tayab (33 runs). Rochdalians won the match by 11 runs. Hameed was declared man of the match from Rochdalians.

Game 2

All Star versus Stoney Stars. Stoney Stars won the toss and elected to field. All Stars made 150 runs. Asif (20 runs), Bukhari (19 runs) and Amir (23 runs) displayed good batting skills but extras at 65 was their the top scorer. In response to All Stars innings, Stoney Stars could only make 73 runs. None of their batsman could score in double figures. All Stars won the match by 77 runs. Amir was man of the match from All Stars.

Game 3

Unique versus Suli XI. Suli XI won the toss and elected to field. Unique made 195 runs. A good batting display from Nouman (31 runs not out), Gufran (30 runs not out), Asif (31 runs not out) and Shakeel (23 runs not out). Suli XI found it difficult to control the ball and gave away 80 runs in extras. In response Suli XI only managed to score 120 runs. Only 3 batsmen could score in double figures, Bilal (13 runs), Haroon (12 runs) and Muna (17 runs). Unique won the match by 75 runs. Asif was man of the match for his 31 runs and 1 wicket for Unique.

Game 4

Lahore Green versus Young Muslims. Young Muslims invited Lahore Green to bat first. Lahore Green scored 135 runs. Usman (30 runs not out) and Zaffer (29 runs) batted well. Young Muslims scored 116 runs. Shakir (38 runs not out) and Nyaz showed good resistance but they lost the match by 18 runs. Zaffer was man of the match from Lahore Green.

Game 5

RYCC versus Max XI. RYCC won the toss and elected to field. Max XI scored 88 runs. Rashid (31runs) batted well. RYCC won the match by five wickets with four balls remaining. Abdul Quyyom (31 runs not out), Shakeel (15 runs) and Qaiser (10 runs not out) put in a good batting display and won the game for RYCC. Shakeel of RYCC was man of the match for his 15 runs and 1 wicket.

Abdul Quyyom, organiser of the league, thanked all the teams and spectators for taking part and for showing a professional attitude on the first day of the league. He appreciated all the help given by volunteers and in particular, Haji Zaffer, Qaiser, Faisal, Malik , Khan and Imran for helping with umpiring and scoring duties.

He also praised the sponsors of the tournament Chain 4 U, Worldwide Cash & Carry and Naz Kebab House for giving their generous support.

The schedule of fixtures for the remaining weeks of the league is attached to this news story and be downloaded below.

Download