Check out the round-up from the latest Indoor Cricket Leagues in Leeds and Bradford.
Bradford
The inauguration of the Bradford Hardball Indoor League at Bradford Park Avenue’s recently unveiled cutting-edge facility has proven immensely successful. Serving as a robust testing ground, this year’s league has garnered participation from diverse backgrounds, markedly more varied than its preceding editions.
A total of 20 teams are currently engaged in the league, having completed four weeks of group fixtures. Everything is still to play for as 4 teams sit on 6 points with The Swat Team edging everyone by their Net Run Rate (NRR). However, in Group B only 2 teams remain unbeaten with a perfect tally of 8 points. AK Eagles has a massive NRR advantage over Taurus but are still yet to play each other.
Mohammad Shoaib of Khan CC is the MVP of group A and the league overall. Azhar Mehmood of Shabaaz Qalanders (Group B) is his closest rival.
Muhammad Maan of Northcliffe CC had the following to say regarding the league: “Excellent opportunity for people from all backgrounds to come and play the game they love. Excellent facilities, league management is really good, good standard of umpiring and scorers. I travel from Middlesbrough to watch/play games. Leagues like this will keep the youth away from negative activities. Massive well done to the organisers.”
Leeds
The Leeds Indoor Cup has just one week remaining. After a long group stage and quarter-finals, the semi-finalists have been decided and we are ready for some exciting action to take place on Sunday 3rd December.
Semi-Final 1: SSK vs Leeds Gladiators – 6PM
SSK blasted their way into the semi-finals through a dominating win over Babita Blasters. They chased their target of 49 without losing a wicket. Raja Babar and Siddharth Elango have been their best players up until this stage of the tournament and played very important roles in winning their quarter final match.
Leeds Gladiators had a tough quarter final against Lions, chasing down their target of 98 on the last bowl. In the game, Raj Vyas scored 35 valuable runs, whilst their MVP so far in the tournament Bobby, picked up 3-20 in his three overs.
Semi-Final 2: JSH vs UFCC – 7PM
Both these teams completed comfortable victories in their quarter final matches. JSH chased their target of 102 in 10.1 overs with only the loss of one wicket. Manny Zia was the standout performer as he scored 30 runs off just 9 balls hitting 4 maximums and a four.
Rodley were no match for UFCC as they were restricted to 50 in their 12 overs. Parth Naik bowled an economical spell of 3 overs for 10 runs and claimed 1 wicket. UFCC then chased their target in just 4 overs as Aravind scored 29 runs in 10 balls.
Finals: Winner Semi-Final 1 vs Winner Semi-Final 2 – 8PM
JSH captain Haroon Rashid was in a positive mood when asked about the chances of his side lifting the Leeds Indoor Cup. He stated: “We have played really well so far and are relishing the opportunity to continue our way of play in the semis and finals. We are aware the other teams are playing good cricket too but I have told my lads to just go out there, enjoy themselves and play to their strengths. I believe if we do that, we can become the Leeds Indoor Cup champions.”
