Pakistan cricketers in League cricket (UK & Ireland) 2017

[MenInG]

As always a few Pakistan players will be making their mark on the League scene in England/Ireland this summer

1. Sadaf Hussain : Oswestry CC
2. Hammad Azam : Ashcombe Park
3. Faisal Iqbal : Brigade CC
4. Fawad Alam : Clitheroe CC in Lancashire League
5. Sarmad Bhatti : Attock CC
6. Asif Zakir: Walkden in the Bolton League
7. Bilawal Bhatti: Hem Heath in Staffs League

 

[Abdullah719]

Fawad Alam 9 runs and 3-32 for Clitheroe.

 

[Muhammad10]

Hammad Azam: 4-56 and 39 runs for Ashcombe Park.

 

[anakwalajinn]

I have always wondered how good the standard is in those leagues? What is the "hierarchy" system in terms on English domestic cricket?

On a side note; do you BOTH live in Cairo?

 

[Abdullah719]

I have always wondered how good the standard is in those leagues? What is the "hierarchy" system in terms on English domestic cricket?

On a side note; do you BOTH live in Cairo?

Some of our UK based posters would probably be in a better position to answer that. [MENTION=139981]HitWicket[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION]

To the second question, yes.

 

[AFM]

I have always wondered how good the standard is in those leagues? What is the "hierarchy" system in terms on English domestic cricket?

On a side note; do you BOTH live in Cairo?

Club cricket is not of a high standard. The players won't get much benefit from playing at this level. The overwhelming majority of the players are amateurs who play cricket at the weekend for recreation.

County cricket is the serious stuff.

 

[Finisher]

Umar Waheed Boldon CC

 

[Abdullah719]

Sadaf Hussain 20 and 0/46.

 

[Gabbar Singh]

I have always wondered how good the standard is in those leagues? What is the "hierarchy" system in terms on English domestic cricket?

On a side note; do you BOTH live in Cairo?

English domestic cricket:

County Championship Division one;
County Championship Division two;
Royal London One-Day Cup;
NatWest t20 Blast;
Second XI Championship;
Second XI Trophy;
Second XI T20;
Minor Counties Cricket Championship Division one;
Minor Counties Cricket Championship Division two;
Minor Counties Cricket Association Knockout Cup;


Then the league cricket starts....


ECB Premier Leagues;
non-ECB-affiliated leagues (Eg Bradford league, Lancashire league).

Etc etc.

 

[Slog]

I have always wondered how good the standard is in those leagues? What is the "hierarchy" system in terms on English domestic cricket?

On a side note; do you BOTH live in Cairo?

I highly doubt standard is any good

Anwar Ali averaged under 10 one season in one of these random leagues

 

[Saj]

I think it's very easy for some folk sat in their plush houses, behind their computers to say players shouldn't play club cricket in the UK but the fact is that some of our players are not very well-off and need this income to support their families.

In addition it provides them with the opportunity to play in some very tough conditions - even the likes of Wasim Akram played club cricket before they were well-known.

 

[shaz619]

English domestic cricket:

Birmingham Premier and District Cricket League
County Championship Division one;
County Championship Division two;
Royal London One-Day Cup;
NatWest t20 Blast;
Second XI Championship;
Second XI Trophy;
Second XI T20;
Minor Counties Cricket Championship Division one;
Minor Counties Cricket Championship Division two;
Minor Counties Cricket Association Knockout Cup;


Then the league cricket starts....


ECB Premier Leagues;
non-ECB-affiliated leagues (Eg Bradford league, Lancashire league).

Etc etc.

You missed one, but have corrected you

 

[shaz619]

I think it's very easy for some folk sat in their plush houses, behind their computers to say players shouldn't play club cricket in the UK but the fact is that some of our players are not very well-off and need this income to support their families.

In addition it provides them with the opportunity to play in some very tough conditions - even the likes of Wasim Akram played club cricket before they were well-known.

100% agree with you, and on top of that when opportunities are not coming you need to make money while you are still able; a cricket career is not very long if you think about it and when you're done prospects are not always fantastic even more so in Pakistan. At the same time it's great for a cricket players development, Azhar Mahmood is proof; he evolved past 2007 into one fine A/R who became consistent and refined playing in tough conditions

 

[Specialisttailender]

100% agree with you, and on top of that when opportunities are not coming you need to make money while you are still able; a cricket career is not very long if you think about it and when you're done prospects are not always fantastic even more so in Pakistan. At the same time it's great for a cricket players development, Azhar Mahmood is proof; he evolved past 2007 into one fine A/R who became consistent and refined playing in tough conditions

How much do they get paid ? How competitive are these clubs ? how far are they on the ladder below county ?

 

[London_Lahori]

How much do they get paid ? How competitive are these clubs ? how far are they on the ladder below county ?

I know a couple of players who turned down £300 a match last year because they wanted £500-£600 a game.

Instead of taking the £300, they chose to sit at home and eat roti.

 

[Muhammad10]

Fawad Alam scored 0 last week and 8 today.

 

[Saj]

63 for Hammad Azam. He's made a good start this season for Ashcombe Park.

 

[MenInG]

Sarmad Bhatti also playing for Attock CC

 

[TalhaSyed]

I have always wondered how good the standard is in those leagues? What is the "hierarchy" system in terms on English domestic cricket?

On a side note; do you BOTH live in Cairo?

International cricket
County Cricket (1st & 2nd eleven) - the likes of Surrey, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, Durham etc.
Minor County Cricket - the likes of Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Devon
Club/League cricket - which is being discussed here

Club/league cricket is usually played by players who play cricket purely as a hobby on the weekend. The clubs usually sign 1 or 2 international players every summer, and usually they try and get players who are performing decently in domestic cricket in Australia, South Africa, Sir Lanka, Pakistan and occasionally India. Those international players will play for the 1st XI team of the club and also help train the younger players and will occasionally run training sessions.

Occasionally the clubs manage to scoop a big(ish) name - for instance the club I used to play for managed to scoop up Imran Nazir (if I remember correctly) in the early 2000's for a season (before I joined the club), or a club down the road from where I live managed to sign Sreeshant for this season, however his NOC got rejected by the BCCI and he couldn't make it.

A few years back - when I was at school - the club I used to play for managed to sign up a young promising up and coming Australian batsmen who was doing well in domestic cricket, however, Cricket Australia then didn't let him come to the UK to play league cricket because they wanted him to spend the off-season months training in Australia, just in case he gets a call up to the national side. His name was David Warner

So occasionally you do end up getting a few decent standard players in the club level teams, however, 90-95% of the players just play the game for fun. For players coming from the sub continent it is a decent summers income to support their families, as well as experience of paying in different conditions to what they are use to, which can never hurt.

 

[Finisher]

9fr for Sadaf Hussain today

 

[Billy1999]

I think it's very easy for some folk sat in their plush houses, behind their computers to say players shouldn't play club cricket in the UK but the fact is that some of our players are not very well-off and need this income to support their families.

In addition it provides them with the opportunity to play in some very tough conditions - even the likes of Wasim Akram played club cricket before they were well-known.

I think league cricket is great it gives a player a facility(Most likely have nets,bowling machines,decent guys that give tips)to work on a weak aspect of their game for 3-4 months whilst also enjoying there time and making money

 

[Abdullah719]

Fawad's output so far in the Lancashire league...

 

[Abdullah719]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Impressive figures from Bilawal Bhatti of 6-53 as Hem Heath beat Stone CC by 22 runs in the North Staffs & South Cheshire League <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/887377119625588736">July 18, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[A.A.Z]

BANBURY captain Lloyd Sabin is backing overseas star Aizaz Cheema to build on his first five-wicket haul.

The north Oxfordshire side travel to Division 1 leaders Henley in the Home Counties Premier League tomorrow.

Banbury are unbeaten in four games, while ex-Pakistan international Cheema took 5-33 – his best figures of the season – as they cruised to victory over Horspath last week.

The 37-year-old has now taken eight wickets in his last two matches, taking his tally for 2017 to 15, and Sabin, who names an unchanged team, is tipping the seamer to continue his form.

He said: “He’s bowled well all season, he’s been unlucky.

“He’s deserved a few more wickets and we’re all pleased for him.

“It’s good for the team as well, so hopefully it continues.”

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/sport/15424548.CRICKET__Home_Counties_Premier_League_previews/

 

[Major]

As always a few Pakistan players will be making their mark on the League scene in England/Ireland this summer

1. Sadaf Hussain : Oswestry CC
2. Hammad Azam : Ashcombe Park
3. Faisal Iqbal : Brigade CC
4. Fawad Alam : Clitheroe CC in Lancashire League
5. Sarmad Bhatti : Attock CC
6. Asif Zakir: Walkden in the Bolton League
7. Bilawal Bhatti: Hem Heath in Staffs League

there's an attock cc in UK?

 

[MenInG]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Good display by Bilawal Bhatti in North Staffs & South Cheshire League. 55 runs & 3-55 as Hem Heath beat J G Meakin CC by 10 runs <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cricket?src=hash">#Cricket</a></p>— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) <a href="https://twitter.com/Saj_PakPassion/status/889539018458836993">July 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[GreenShirts]

Bhatti owning the club cricketers in the UK.

 

[mak36]

Bhatti owning the club cricketers in the UK.

As long as he isn't in contention for PCT, I am happy for him.

 

[Kashmiri_Pak_fan]

when will this years league cricket season end in england?

 

[Slog]

there's an attock cc in UK?

these are essentially gully teams

no jokes but the level in some of these leagues are close to the street cricket of Pakistan

 

[Slog]

International cricket
County Cricket (1st & 2nd eleven) - the likes of Surrey, Lancashire, Warwickshire, Yorkshire, Durham etc.
Minor County Cricket - the likes of Oxfordshire, Bedfordshire, Devon
Club/League cricket - which is being discussed here

Club/league cricket is usually played by players who play cricket purely as a hobby on the weekend. The clubs usually sign 1 or 2 international players every summer, and usually they try and get players who are performing decently in domestic cricket in Australia, South Africa, Sir Lanka, Pakistan and occasionally India. Those international players will play for the 1st XI team of the club and also help train the younger players and will occasionally run training sessions.

Occasionally the clubs manage to scoop a big(ish) name - for instance the club I used to play for managed to scoop up Imran Nazir (if I remember correctly) in the early 2000's for a season (before I joined the club), or a club down the road from where I live managed to sign Sreeshant for this season, however his NOC got rejected by the BCCI and he couldn't make it.

A few years back - when I was at school - the club I used to play for managed to sign up a young promising up and coming Australian batsmen who was doing well in domestic cricket, however, Cricket Australia then didn't let him come to the UK to play league cricket because they wanted him to spend the off-season months training in Australia, just in case he gets a call up to the national side. His name was David Warner

So occasionally you do end up getting a few decent standard players in the club level teams, however, 90-95% of the players just play the game for fun. For players coming from the sub continent it is a decent summers income to support their families, as well as experience of paying in different conditions to what they are use to, which can never hurt.

whats in it for the league clubs to have these third tier internationals play for them in what is essentially a weekend time pass for majority of people who are part of it? I heard they are paid 3-500 GBP per game.

also who pays these internationals. I doubt these clubs have a revenue stream as such.

 

[Finisher]

these are essentially gully teams

no jokes but the level in some of these leagues are close to the street cricket of Pakistan

You played league cricket in England?

 

[Bewal Express]

these are essentially gully teams

no jokes but the level in some of these leagues are close to the street cricket of Pakistan

The top leagues are very strong; the Birmingham league is incredibly strong and is akin to 2nd county cricket at times. I have heard the same about the leagues in Lancashire, Yorkshire and Durham.

 

[Slog]

You played league cricket in England?

my cousin did. he played well and isnt anything special tbh

i think it was lancashire league.. a few intl's were there

 

[mak36]

whats in it for the league clubs to have these third tier internationals play for them in what is essentially a weekend time pass for majority of people who are part of it? I heard they are paid 3-500 GBP per game.

also who pays these internationals. I doubt these clubs have a revenue stream as such.

The wealthier/more competitive clubs bring these players over in an attempt to win the league. Sunday matches are a somewhat relaxed affair, but many clubs take the Saturday games (ie the league games) very seriously. When you take into consideration the annual subscription each player pays as well as the weekly match fees clubs, the bigger cricket clubs are easily able to afford to bring a player over for a short period (ie the length of the cricket season). The other thing to add is that often the match fee will be reduced as the club will provide accommodation.

 

[hadi123]

The highest divisions in this leagues are very high standard of cricket. Most players in first 11s of best teams are county standard. Obviously still a step down from International cricket for International players but you can't say that the players are absolutely awful, there are some very good cricketers in the higher division. Context: Premier division in Hertfordshire league, you have Monty Panesar for Luton Indians, Owais Shah for Welwyn Garden City, Jon Jon Smuts for Radlett just 1-2 seasons ago. And in Middlesex league, Mark Ramprakash represents Stanmore first 11 and Kusal Mendis represented Southgate just a couple of seasons ago.

 

[Rana]

these are essentially gully teams

no jokes but the level in some of these leagues are close to the street cricket of Pakistan

You have no clue what you are talking about mate.

Those Gully cricketers in Pakistan hardly make up the 2s in every club with the occasional slogger selected for the first team. Club cricket is as serious as the club wants it to be. All premier league clubs have 7-8 rejects of first class cricket. All the serious clubs have a payroll of around 5-6 if not more paid players.

All these so called Gully players you say are better dont want to pay the match fees let alone the club actually paying them to show off their tape ball skills

 

[Finisher]

my cousin did. he played well and isnt anything special tbh

i think it was lancashire league.. a few intl's were there

Most of the club's have quite a few teams.
1st, 2nd's, 3rd's and 4th's, with some having a middle week team and a Saturday team, with the 1st team being the strongest and in the highest league.
I think your cousin might have played 3rd or 4th team for the club.

 

[Slog]

Most of the club's have quite a few teams.
1st, 2nd's, 3rd's and 4th's, with some having a middle week team and a Saturday team, with the 1st team being the strongest and in the highest league.
I think your cousin might have played 3rd or 4th team for the club.

Mohammad Zahid also used to play in that league

 

[TalhaSyed]

whats in it for the league clubs to have these third tier internationals play for them in what is essentially a weekend time pass for majority of people who are part of it? I heard they are paid 3-500 GBP per game.

also who pays these internationals. I doubt these clubs have a revenue stream as such.

For the clubs its seen as an investment to have that experience around their younger players. The players who go on to play county and even international cricket start off in these leagues - usually from a young age. For them it's just the opportunity to get experience of rubbing shoulders with players who have played at a higher level. The international player also helps the club win matches & consequently win competition and get the rewards for that.

The international pro would also usually be in charge of running the training sessions for the junior and senior teams to pass on his experience.

As for the payment I believe it comes from the clubs. I don't know a huge amount regarding the financial side of things however the clubs are the ones whom I believe pay the international pros - either through money they collect through membership fees, or from local government grants, or some clubs have long standing members who donate money to the clubs, or from Cricket Scotland/ECB funds etc.