The stage is set for an exciting showdown as champions from four areas gear up to compete in the Yorkshire Indoor Cup 2024, competing for the coveted title of Indoor Champions of Yorkshire.
With participants representing various communities, these indoor tournaments held across the region have not only showcased exceptional cricketing talent but also promoted inclusivity and diversity within the sport. As anticipation mounts and excitement builds, all eyes are on the upcoming clashes that promise exciting displays of skill, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
Keighley:
In the Keighley Indoor Cup, one team emerged undefeated. Mirpur Royals showed dominance throughout the tournament, winning all their group stage matches easily. Their opponents couldn’t come close to their total score, with the smallest margin being 28 runs. Continuing their strong performance, Mirpur Royals convincingly won the semi-final, setting up a highly anticipated final against Adam CC, who also had a smooth journey to the final.
In the final match, Mirpur Royals scored 115 runs, with notable contributions from Adam Zahid (34) and Seif Hussain (27). In response, Adam CC struggled and were all out for just 52 runs. Sagheer Shaheen’s 23 runs was the only notable effort for Adam CC, resulting in a clear victory for Mirpur Royals by 62 runs.
Player to Watch: Amir Hussain – Accumulating a total of 170 runs at an average of 34 and an impressive strike rate of 151.79, along with claiming 9 wickets at an economy rate of 4.72 and an average of 7, Hussain emerges as a key figure for the Royals.
Bradford:
Despite Khan CC winning the Bradford Indoor Cup, their journey to victory was challenging. Facing several closely contested matches, Khan CC consistently emerged victorious, although with significant effort. In the first semi-final, Bradford Hawks dominated The Swat team, with standout player Zeeshan Bacha scoring 56 runs and taking 2 wickets.
In the second semi-final, Khan CC chased a target of 104 runs, with Abid Fareed’s 51 off 29 balls setting the stage for a thrilling chase. Despite a tough position at 49 for 5, Luqman Ali’s impressive 58 off 26 balls propelled Khan CC into the final.
Batting first in the final, Khan CC scored 105 runs, led by Skipper Mohammad Shoaib’s 43 runs, with Alam Shah also contributing with a quick 20 runs. However, Bradford Hawks’ excellent fielding, including 4 runouts, restricted Khan CC’s scoring opportunities. In reply, Bradford Hawks struggled, managing only 50 runs, with Aizaz’s 22 runs being the only highlight amidst a collective batting collapse. Mohammad Shoaib and Luqman Ali took 2 wickets each. Skipper Mohammad Shoaib expressed, “We are looking forward to playing in the Yorkshire finals. We have gelled well as a team and remained unbeaten in the Bradford cup. Our team is well rounded and are looking forward to taking on the winners from the other areas.”
Player to Watch: With 232 runs at an average of 29 and a striking rate of 181.25, in addition to 11 wickets, Mohammad Shoaib is a key player for Khan CC.
Leeds:
After an exciting 8-week-long journey of intense competition, UFCC has emerged as the Champions of the Munch Café Leeds Indoor Cup. Their path to victory was paved with dominance as they breezed through the group stages and knockout rounds with remarkable ease.
The semi-finals saw UFCC face off against Tuskers in a tightly contested battle. Opting to bat first after winning the toss, UFCC encountered a challenging bowling attack from Tuskers, eventually being bowled out for 87 runs. Soham’s resilient knock of 22 runs off 26 balls set the stage for Amruth to unleash his batting prowess, scoring an impressive 33 runs off 24 balls. Despite Bobby’s impressive four-wicket haul for Tuskers, UFCC managed to defend their total, clinching victory by a margin of 14 runs, with Amruth rightfully earning the Player of the Match award.
In the highly anticipated finals against Leeds Gladiators, UFCC faced a formidable challenge after being asked to bat first. With a valiant effort from Soham and Manikantan, UFCC managed to score a total of 84 runs. However, their bowling duo of Amruth and Soham rose to the occasion, claiming two wickets each and restricting the Gladiators to fall short of the target. The captain of UFCC said, “UFCC’s journey to winning the Munch Cafe Leeds Indoor Cup was amazing. We faced challenges, showed teamwork, and worked hard. Now, we are ready for the Yorkshire Finals to prove ourselves again.”
Player to watch: Amruth, with his stellar all-round performances throughout the tournament, emerged as the player to watch. With 10 wickets in 9 matches at an average of 11, coupled with 179 runs at an average of 29.83 and a striking rate of 168.87, Amruth’s contributions were pivotal in UFCC’s journey to victory. As UFCC celebrates their triumph in the Munch Café Leeds Indoor Cup, all eyes are now set on their upcoming campaign in the Yorkshire Indoor Cup, where Amruth’s performance will undoubtedly play a crucial role in their quest for further success.
Kirklees:
The Kashmir Tigers won the Kirklees Indoor Cup 2024, led by skipper Muhammad Mushtaq’s excellent performance. Mushtaq’s leadership was crucial, scoring over 100 runs and taking 15 wickets. Their stellar teamwork and determination outclassed opponents, highlighting their dominance in indoor cricket. This victory solidifies their status as a formidable team in the upcoming Yorkshire Indoor Cup.
Player to watch:
Keep an eye on Usman Maqsood of the Kashmir Tigers, a player capable of disrupting opponents’ plans. Maqsood played a vital role in his team’s success in the Kirklees Indoor Cup. As an all-rounder, he bowls with pace and contributes effectively in the middle order with his batting skills.
The Yorkshire Cricket Foundation have again teamed up with Munch Café to make the Yorkshire Cup a success. Munch Café is a cozy place in Headingley known for its delicious English and South Indian food and they have shown a great interest in supporting us to make cricket accessible for the communities we work with. On the day, they have kindly offered to provide all players with some of their delicious food!
Our scoring partners of the day will be CricHeroes, who will support us with ball by ball live scoring and live streaming platform for the day. Players and spectators can easily access the live scorecards and stats off the day via the CricHeroes link available on the day.
The Yorkshire Indoor Cup 2024 will be played on 10th March (Sunday) from 2pm-6pm at The Edge, University of Leeds, LS2 9JT.
Fixtures:
Bradford v Kirklees at 2 pm
Leeds v Keighley at 3pm
Final at 4 pm
