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Pakistani players in UK leagues (2022)

MenInG

MenInG

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1. Abdul Faseeh (SACA academy)
2. Taj Wali (Eppleton CC - North East Premier League)
3. Danish Aziz (Rawtenstall CC - Lancashire League)
4. Ahsan Ali (Saltburn CC - North Yorkshire & South Durham Cricket League)
5. Mohammad Irfan (Ainsdale CC - Liverpool & District Cricket Competition)
6. Azeem Ghumman ((Chippenham CC - West of England Premier League)
7. Muhammad Saad (Darlington CC - North Yorkshire & South Durham ECB Premier Cricket League)
8. Ali Usman (Penzance CC - Cornwall Cricket League)
9. Toseeq Shah (Lordswood CC - Kent Cricket League)
10. Mubasir Khan (Seaham Park Cricket Club in the North East Premier League)
11. Ali Zaryab (Kenilworth Wardens in the Birmingham Premier League)
12. Junaid Khan (Hoylandswaine in the Huddersfield Cricket League)
13. Rehan Afridi (Preston Nomads in the Sussex Premier Cricket League)
14. Imran Butt (Cavaliers and Carrington Cricket Club in Nottingham)
15. Mohammad Amir (Hornchurch in the Essex Premier League)
16. Waqas Maqsood (Burnmoor CC in the North East Premier League)
 
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Disappointing to see only 1 Pakistani in the Lancashire League which is widely regarded as one of the strongest leagues in the UK.
 
Being a Pakistani cricketer is a volatile career choice.

Poor Danish Aziz was staying in 5 star hotels in Johannesburg a couple of years ago as part of the international team.

Now hes probably staying in a small studio flat in a sleepy village in Lancashire and some local Pakistanis will take him out occasionally for a bite to eat on the curry mile.

Hopefully he ( and all the other players) make some good money out of their stints.
 
Ali Zaryab is once again playing for Kenilworth Wardens in the Birmingham Premier League.
 
Junaid Khan has signed for Hoylandswaine in the Huddersfield league.
 
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Rehan Afridi signs up for Preston Nomads in Sussex league
 
DeadlyVenom said:
Being a Pakistani cricketer is a volatile career choice.

Poor Danish Aziz was staying in 5 star hotels in Johannesburg a couple of years ago as part of the international team.

Now hes probably staying in a small studio flat in a sleepy village in Lancashire and some local Pakistanis will take him out occasionally for a bite to eat on the curry mile.

Hopefully he ( and all the other players) make some good money out of their stints.
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They make £10-20k for the season I recon
 
You would be surprised how much some of these overseas players get paid. Some clubs will spend their whole year's budget or most of it on recruiting an overseas player with the hope of success ultimately but also in the hope the player draws in crowds who in turn spend in club House bars etc, new members to the club etc.

The players get a trip to England , most expenses paid , if they are in the right area then plenty of ex pats will be willing to wine and dine you it's probably better than spending the summer in Pakistan for most.
 
Rana said:
They make £10-20k for the season I recon
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Gone are the days clubs pay that much money to overseas pros.

What clubs tend to do is to pay less, but throw in bonuses for trophies and good performances.

Also players make use of this opportunity by doing ECB coaching qualifications.
 
Saj said:
Gone are the days clubs pay that much money to overseas pros.

What clubs tend to do is to pay less, but throw in bonuses for trophies and good performances.

Also players make use of this opportunity by doing ECB coaching qualifications.
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Current international pedigree pros are probably in the £400-500 a game category. For instance, a player like Sami Aslam wouldn’t go less than £450 a game a couple of years ago.

I think the ECB/Home office rules have made signing overseas pros extremely difficult now as you must have a particular license to call a player and to legally pay them as per home office rules. A lot of clubs will not acquire that license unless they are Premier league or Div 1. So the competition to sign those overseas players is pretty rough now for the Indian/Pakistani players as clubs in the lower divisions as clubs tend to go the easier route and sign Australian/Kiwi and South African players instead who have an easier route into the country and some have British passports.
 
How many of these players will end up playing for Pakistan in international games? Are these country stints encouraged by the the PCB and is there someone who keeps a watch on their performance?
 
Rana said:
sign Australian/Kiwi and South African players instead who have an easier route into the country and some have British passports.
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For the ones that don't have British Passports the clubs still have to get them a working visa, facililate them with accomodation and a wage, whereas in the past they'd just be paid a one off match fee. So it's not very different from having a player from sub-continent or down-under.
 
gani999 said:
How many of these players will end up playing for Pakistan in international games? Are these country stints encouraged by the the PCB and is there someone who keeps a watch on their performance?
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I think they have to get NOC from PCB so they are monitored by PCB and UK home office in the case of a player seeking asylum. Club cricket performances will always be taken with a pinch of salt.

There are guys who will average 45-50 in the FC circuit but struggle to average 30-35 in the Premier/Division 1 circuits because of the standard of pitches.

But these stints are still valuable exposure to overseas conditions and atmosphere.
 
I bumped into Salludin while he was a selector for the PCB, at a club game.

Not sure if he was there on official selection business or just on holiday and decided to pop in.
 
Shaddy86 said:
For the ones that don't have British Passports the clubs still have to get them a working visa, facililate them with accomodation and a wage, whereas in the past they'd just be paid a one off match fee. So it's not very different from having a player from sub-continent or down-under.
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Yes, as I said they will acquire that licence from UK government. This is the licence that enables a club to invite a sportsman on a Tier 5 visa, it has its own rules on remuneration. The standards of cricket that usually get this licence in UK:

-County (First and second teams)
-Minor Counties
-Premier League clubs
-Division 1 clubs
-Relegated Prem/Div 1 clubs who have acquired the licence from before

*if you don’t have the licence, then you are playing a very dangerous game with the acquisition of an overseas pro, especially in the lower leagues as the league Admin will be on the case consistently vetting if the player is receiving payment of any kind and is solely playing as a member of the club. This is why the overseas pro scene has declined massively
 
16th April:

Junaid Khan 4/17 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Armitage Bridge CC, Huddersfield League Premiership division, HOYLANDSWAINE CC
WON BY 22 RUNS


23rd April:

Muhammad Irfan 97* (107) & 3/57 for Ainsdale CC, LIVERPOOL AND DISTRICT CRICKET COMPETITION | 1st XI First Division, RAINFORD CC WON BY 5 WICKETS

Junaid Khan 3/26 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Barkisland CC, Huddersfield League Premiership division, HOYLANDSWAINE CC
WON BY 87 RUNS
 
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Muhammad Azharullah and Junaid Khan. There surely won’t be many better new ball partnerships anywhere in England than the one Hoylandswaine have unleashed on this season’s Huddersfield League Premiership division.

“I’m flattered that you think it could be the best,” smiled Azharullah, the former Northamptonshire Vitality Blast winning seamer who is now a high performance coach in Yorkshire’s pathway system.

“But it is a good partnership, I’m not going to lie.”

Azharullah, 38, is taking the new ball with Khan, the Pakistan left-arm seamer with a 107 international caps and the best part of 200 wickets to his name between 2011 and 2019.

Khan, the ex-Lancashire and Middlesex man, is a former team-mate of Azharullah’s in Pakistan domestic cricket, a link which helped defending champions Hoylandswaine convince him to join their pursuit of silverware in 2022.

“He is married with his wife in Bradford,” explained Azharullah. “He was over here already – he spent the winter here and is moving to England.

“We missed out on an overseas player, and he was the obvious one we could go to next. He’s a friend of mine, and it’s nice to get back with him again.”

Hoylandswaine’s strength doesn’t end there. They are captained by Leicestershire white ball all-rounder Arron Lilley and also have former Durham spinner Max Morley in their ranks, the latter who also won the ITV reality show Love Island in 2015.

“We also have Umer Yaqoob who follows myself and Junaid, and he’s a very good bowler,” said Azharullah.

“We tried last year to go for all four trophies, and we want to have another go.”

There will no doubt be many batters around Huddersfield who get their toes blown off by yorker specialists Khan and Azharullah who disagree with the latter’s statement that their involvement is “good for the Huddersfield League”.

But, seriously, it can’t be anything but good. It raises the standard and profile of league cricket in the county, as it does for example in the Yorkshire Premier League South with Barnsley Woolley Miners signing Australian Big Bash League winning batter Jake Weatherald.

Hoylandswaine have made the ideal start to their Premiership campaign, winning their opening games against Armitage Bridge and Barkisland on the last two Saturdays.

Azharullah claimed five wickets in each game, while 32-year-old Khan recorded hauls of four and three.

On Saturday, the former Northants man removed Barkisland duo Matthew Weston and Harry Finch, who are on Yorkshire’s Academy and Emerging Players Programmes respectively and who Azharullah coaches.

“I got them in my pocket,” he laughed. “In all seriousness, I’ve spent a lot of time with those guys in the winter, coaching them and bowling at them. They are high-class cricketers who are going through their learning process, and facing bowlers like Junaid will be good for them.”

Weston, Finch and their 10 other Academy and EPP contemporaries are back playing for their clubs following Yorkshire’s decision to withdraw the Academy team from the YPL North competition.

“I think it’s a good decision,” said Azharullah. “The players have a responsibility to go and perform for their clubs now.

“The experience they will gain from that, facing a variety of attacks and also playing with some good senior players will only help their development.”

Azharullah, who was Yorkshire based even through his time winning Blast titles in 2013 and 2016 with Northants, admitted he is loving the opportunity to work with the county’s brightest young stars at Headingley.

Appointed to the county’s coaching staff in January, he is currently undertaking his ECB Level Four coaching qualification with a specialisation in fast bowling.

“I’m very fortunate to be working with these guys,” he added. “It’s a very strong Academy here, and there is so much talent beneath that as well.

“When I get the chance, the odd day here and there, I will also go to the second XI and first XI and help them out. That’s really good for my own development.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity Yorkshire have given me.”

https://yorkshireccc.com/news/view/9848/around-the-leagues-hoylandswaine-s-new-ball-pairing
 
Nasir Nawaz has signed for Leyland Cricket Club in the Northern League
 
Imran Butt is playing this season for Cavaliers and Carrington Cricket Club in Nottingham.
 
30th April

Junaid Khan 6/36 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Broad Oak CC (50 overs) - HOYLANDSWAINE CC WON BY 43 RUNS

Imran Butt 56 (71) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Gedling & Sherwood CC (50 overs)- GEDLING & SHERWOOD CC WON BY 6 WICKETS

Mohammad Irfan 4/62 for Ainsdale CC vs Sefton Park CC - AINSDALE CC WON BY 5 WICKETS
 
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Good on these players to make some money. But it's certainly a fall from grace of having test caps for some of these.
 
Some of Junaid Khan's recent performances for Hoylandswaine

3/26 vs Barkisland CC
2/34 vs Barnsley Woolley Miners CC
3/18 vs Linthwaite CC
6/36 vs Broad Oak
 
MenInG said:
Some of Junaid Khan's recent performances for Hoylandswaine

3/26 vs Barkisland CC
2/34 vs Barnsley Woolley Miners CC
3/18 vs Linthwaite CC
6/36 vs Broad Oak
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Read a nice article about Hoylandswaine the other day, they are really going for it this season, Junaid Khan and Azarullah, previously of northants, new ball partnership.
 
Can't imagine too many club cricketers pleased to see Junaid Khan in the opposition team with the new ball.
 
Maher96 said:
Interesting to know which Mohammed Irfan it is.
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its the spin bowler. Ainsdale have had some good overseas pros at club over the years. They had waseem Jaffer one season.

Also muhammed Asif back in 2001, i remember playing in a pre season friendly against him back then when Ainsdale played wavertree.
 
Amjid Javed said:
Interesting Article from Muhammed Asif from a year ago on how he thinks UK club cricket does benefit pakistan pacers. Hes probably right as well. Hope im ok to post this?

https://www.google.com/amp/s/battin...-advises-them-to-play-club-cricket-in-uk/?amp
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Asif played a season in the Liverpool league for a team called Ainsdale and he always maintains that he learnt a lot about the art of bowling during that time, playing against experienced club cricketers some of whom were former County players.
 
Energy said:
Good on these players to make some money. But it's certainly a fall from grace of having test caps for some of these.
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True but it's an opportunity to play some cricket and make some money when no cricket is being played back home.

For some it's also a chance to play overseas for the first time and gain experience in foreign conditions.
 
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Saj said:
Asif played a season in the Liverpool league for a team called Ainsdale and he always maintains that he learnt a lot about the art of bowling during that time, playing against experienced club cricketers some of whom were former County players.
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In 1960s and 70s many West Indian cricketers played in English leagues before they were selected for West Indies.
 
Fenrir said:
In 1960s and 70s many West Indian cricketers played in English leagues before they were selected for West Indies.
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Even later than that - the likes of Viv Richards and Richie Richardson played club cricket in the UK.

In addition the likes of Wasim Akram played club cricket at the start of his career.
 
1st May

Junaid Khan 3/18 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Linthwaite CC - HOYLANDSWAINE CC WON BY 8 WICKETS
 
7th May

Junaid Khan 6/33 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Skelmanthorpe CC, HOYLANDSWAINE CC WON BY 3 WICKETS

Mohammad Saad, 5/29 for Darlington CC vs Marton CC, Yorks, Darlington CC won by 9 wickets

Ali Zaryab Asif, 107 (115) for Kenilworth Wardens CC vs Kidderminster CC, KENILWORTH WARDENS CC WON BY 287 RUNS
 
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14th May

Imran Butt 92(79) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Radcliffe-on-Trent CC, CAVALIERS AND CARRINGTON CC WON BY 7 WICKETS

Muhammad Irfan 43*(42) for Ainsdale CC vs Northrop Hall CC, Match drawn
 
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Mohammad Amir to play for Hornchurch!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are pleased to announce the signing of Muhammad Amir. He will make his debut on Saturday. Welcome to the club <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hornchurchboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hornchurchboys</a> <a href="https://t.co/XTD2H3DsTY">https://t.co/XTD2H3DsTY</a> <a href="https://t.co/gOGRoZ80oJ">pic.twitter.com/gOGRoZ80oJ</a></p>— Hornchurch CC (@HCCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCCOfficial/status/1527351299200946178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rumours indicate that he will get close to GBP 9k for 3 games!
 
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<b>Update: 24th May 2022</b>

• 22/05
Taj Wali 4/35 for Eppleton CC v Burnopfield CC — Burnopfield won by 4 wickets.

• 21/05
Muhammad Irfan 5/46 for Ainsdale CC v Liverpool CC — Liverpool won by 118 runs.

Ali Usman 3/26 for Penzance CC v Redruth CC — Penzance won by 8 wickets.


Some more wickets for Junaid Khan at Hoylandswaine CC as well. :)
 
MenInG said:
Mohammad Amir to play for Hornchurch!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are pleased to announce the signing of Muhammad Amir. He will make his debut on Saturday. Welcome to the club <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hornchurchboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hornchurchboys</a> <a href="https://t.co/XTD2H3DsTY">https://t.co/XTD2H3DsTY</a> <a href="https://t.co/gOGRoZ80oJ">pic.twitter.com/gOGRoZ80oJ</a></p>— Hornchurch CC (@HCCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCCOfficial/status/1527351299200946178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rumours indicate that he will get close to GBP 9k for 3 games!
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Maybe £900? Surely not £9k because he will take around 7 wickets and conceded around 120 runs. Is that value for money?
 
MenInG said:
Mohammad Amir to play for Hornchurch!

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">We are pleased to announce the signing of Muhammad Amir. He will make his debut on Saturday. Welcome to the club <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/hornchurchboys?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#hornchurchboys</a> <a href="https://t.co/XTD2H3DsTY">https://t.co/XTD2H3DsTY</a> <a href="https://t.co/gOGRoZ80oJ">pic.twitter.com/gOGRoZ80oJ</a></p>— Hornchurch CC (@HCCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCCOfficial/status/1527351299200946178?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Rumours indicate that he will get close to GBP 9k for 3 games!
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Has a local benefactor stepped in to arrange this? That is silly money for league cricket given he is a player that is unlikely to really change the course of a game at this stage of his career.

It also shows Amir's love for the paisa. Refuses to play domestic cricket in Pakistan but will do this. Literally hilarious and sad at the same time.
 
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Mohammad Amir yet to debut for Hornchurch as planned, it seems.
 
A brilliant performance from Imran Butt for Cavaliers and Carrington.

Took 3 wickets with the ball to help restrict Plumtree to 215/6, and then top scored in the subsequent run chase with 73 (90) to take his side to the target with five wickets to spare.
 
A couple of wickets from Mohammad Irfan for Ainsdale is not quite enough to prevent defeat to Bootle.
 
June 04

Junaid Khan 4/53 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Shepley CC - Hoylandswaine CC won by 8 wickets

Imran Butt 118 (123) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Notts & Arnold Amateur CC - CAVALIERS AND CARRINGTON CC WON BY 1 RUN

Taj Wali 3/40 for Eppleton CCC vs South Northumberland CC - SOUTH NORTHUMBERLAND CC WON BY 57 RUNS
 
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Saif Badar in Pittsburgh T20 Cricket League

195 off 67
2-10 in 2 overs.

I know it's a USA league, nowhere near UK club levels, but I thought it deserved a mention. Crazy numbers, his team scored 300 in in a T20!
 
June 11

Imran Butt 118* (117) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Papplewick and Linby CC - CAVALIERS AND CARRINGTON CC WON BY 18 RUNS

Junaid Khan 4/54 for Hoylandswaine CC vs Almondbury Wesleyans CC - Hoylandswaine CC won by 8 wickets

Ali Zaryab 50 (56) for Kenilworth Wardens CC vs Smethwick CC - SMETHWICK CC WON BY 28 RUNS

Ali Usman (4/20) for Penzance CC vs St Austell CC - PENZANCE CC WON BY 38 RUNS

Azeem Ghumman 50*(90) for Chippenham CC, Wilts vs Lansdown CC - CHIPPENHAM CC, WILTS WON BY 4 WICKETS

Muhammad Irfan 6/56 for Ainsdale CC vs Caldy CC - AINSDALE CC WON BY 45 RUNS
 
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Ali Usman doing well for Penzance

efRgaDX.png
 
And in 2016 I wrote something more 'literary' (i.e. weaving in personal non-cricket stories) and longform about all the Pakistani Test players who had ever played in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League (in and around Stoke-on-Trent, between Birmingham and Manchester).

I think the list (of 37) probably needs expanding by two -- Usman Salahuddin and Zafar Gohar, both of whom played for my club, Moddershall and Oulton.

Stokistan
 
Scott Oliver said:
And in 2016 I wrote something more 'literary' (i.e. weaving in personal non-cricket stories) and longform about all the Pakistani Test players who had ever played in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League (in and around Stoke-on-Trent, between Birmingham and Manchester).

I think the list (of 37) probably needs expanding by two -- Usman Salahuddin and Zafar Gohar, both of whom played for my club, Moddershall and Oulton.

Welcome to PP

Hope to see more of your views on cricket on other threads
Click to expand...
 
Scott Oliver said:
And in 2016 I wrote something more 'literary' (i.e. weaving in personal non-cricket stories) and longform about all the Pakistani Test players who had ever played in the North Staffordshire and South Cheshire League (in and around Stoke-on-Trent, between Birmingham and Manchester).

I think the list (of 37) probably needs expanding by two -- Usman Salahuddin and Zafar Gohar, both of whom played for my club, Moddershall and Oulton.

Stokistan
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Hello Scott!

Stokistan is one of my favourite cricinfo articles.

It's a great view into the lives of genuine international players that are playing at level significantly below their ability. I've met and played with a fair few, not from the same league but apart from a bit of chat over a dinner have never had the courage to ask them about whats going through their heads when they arrive here or start playing

I know we get a lot of South Africans and Australians plying their trade in club cricket in England but they are often at the same level & stature of the Pakistanis.

This sort of mix probably doesn't happen in other sports either, you don't suddenly get ex premiership footballers rocking up in pub leagues abroad.

I find it utterly fascinating, from the point of view of the players and from the point of view of their opponents.

Following some of these guys around would make a great netflix documentary.
 
Thanks to 'Deadly Venom', 'James' and 'MenInG'.

Yes, I think it's a situation that's unique to cricket (of athletic sports; it may happen in darts and snooker).

I've actually written a number of pieces about superstar cricketers playing in UK club cricket, albeit most of them so far aren't Pakistani players -- 'Stokistan' and the short thing about Afridi aside (I've done Warne, Waugh [S and M], ABdV, Viv, VVS, Kapil Dev, Allan Donald, AC Gilchrist, MA Taylor and ML Hayden at same club 4y apart, Ambrose, Holding, Dre Russ [T20 great], Shane Bond...).

However, I'm working on the story of Wasim Akram's short stint in the Birmingham League (BDCL) in 1999 for Smethwick. It'll be out at Cricinfo some time over the next couple of months, after I've pulled it all together. He played with Moeen Ali's brother, Kadeer, and cousin, Kabir. Wasim also played a little bit for Aston Unity the following year in BDCL second tier. Lots of interesting stuff in there, most of it off the field! Oh, and he played at Burnopfield near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1986.

There's also Shoaib Akhtar's season in Northern Ireland. I need to make a trip over and get into the library there when next back in the UK, however.

Plus several other non-Pakistani greats. One club had Gordon Greenidge one year and Malcolm Marshall the next. And when GG couldn't make the first game of the season, they had Richard Hadlee as sub pro. Insane.

I think they're great stories (not just saying that because of vested interest; it's entirely the other way round). I was lucky enough to face Mushtaq Ahmed in a club game and, man, the noise the ball made coming down. This was 2002. The next five years he was the leading wicket-taker in the County Championship, helping Sussex win three CC's after precisely zero in 112 years. Great cricketer, and great bloke.

Anyway, here's a couple of scorecards from north Staffs in 2004, when Mo Asif played against Morne Morkel.

Endon vs Ashcombe Park

Ashcombe Park vs Endon
 
18th June

Muhammad Saad 74* (80) for Darlington CC vs Stockton CC - DARLINGTON CC WON BY 7 WICKETS

Muhammad Irfan 6/53 for Ainsdale CC vs Highfield CC, Lancs - AINSDALE CC WON BY 5 WICKETS
 
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Scott Oliver said:
Thanks to 'Deadly Venom', 'James' and 'MenInG'.

Yes, I think it's a situation that's unique to cricket (of athletic sports; it may happen in darts and snooker).

I've actually written a number of pieces about superstar cricketers playing in UK club cricket, albeit most of them so far aren't Pakistani players -- 'Stokistan' and the short thing about Afridi aside (I've done Warne, Waugh [S and M], ABdV, Viv, VVS, Kapil Dev, Allan Donald, AC Gilchrist, MA Taylor and ML Hayden at same club 4y apart, Ambrose, Holding, Dre Russ [T20 great], Shane Bond...).

However, I'm working on the story of Wasim Akram's short stint in the Birmingham League (BDCL) in 1999 for Smethwick. It'll be out at Cricinfo some time over the next couple of months, after I've pulled it all together. He played with Moeen Ali's brother, Kadeer, and cousin, Kabir. Wasim also played a little bit for Aston Unity the following year in BDCL second tier. Lots of interesting stuff in there, most of it off the field! Oh, and he played at Burnopfield near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1986.

There's also Shoaib Akhtar's season in Northern Ireland. I need to make a trip over and get into the library there when next back in the UK, however.

Plus several other non-Pakistani greats. One club had Gordon Greenidge one year and Malcolm Marshall the next. And when GG couldn't make the first game of the season, they had Richard Hadlee as sub pro. Insane.

I think they're great stories (not just saying that because of vested interest; it's entirely the other way round). I was lucky enough to face Mushtaq Ahmed in a club game and, man, the noise the ball made coming down. This was 2002. The next five years he was the leading wicket-taker in the County Championship, helping Sussex win three CC's after precisely zero in 112 years. Great cricketer, and great bloke.

Anyway, here's a couple of scorecards from north Staffs in 2004, when Mo Asif played against Morne Morkel.

Endon vs Ashcombe Park

Ashcombe Park vs Endon
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Hi Scott. Welcome to PakPassion.

I faced Mushtaq in the nets when he was playing a few matches as a sub pro in the NYSD. He was incredible, fizzing googlies, leggies, top-spinners. I could barely put bat on ball. In the end he bowled left-arm and believe me he was damn good at that too.

One of the biggest names I saw play club cricket was Ijaz Ahmed who played in the North East for clubs like Richmond, Redcar. He was a legend in UK club cricket and if he didn't score a hundred in each innings the bowlers would count themselves lucky.

Regarding the Staffordshire league, you are spot on there have been some wonderful Pakistani players in those leagues. In fact I recall watching Abdul Razzaq appearing there for a season or two also.
 
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Saj said:
Hi Scott. Welcome to PakPassion.

I faced Mushtaq in the nets when he was playing a few matches as a sub pro in the NYSD. He was incredible, fizzing googlies, leggies, top-spinners. I could barely put bat on ball. In the end he bowled left-arm and believe me he was damn good at that too.

One of the biggest names I saw play club cricket was Ijaz Ahmed who played in the North East for clubs like Richmond, Redcar. He was a legend in UK club cricket and if he didn't score a hundred in each innings the bowlers would count themselves lucky.

Regarding the Staffordshire league, you are spot on there have been some wonderful Pakistani players in those leagues. In fact I recall watching Abdul Razzaq appearing there for a season or two also.
Click to expand...

Yes, Razzaq at Hem Heath, who also had Bilalwal Bhatti. He was pretty sharp!
 
Scott Oliver said:
Thanks to 'Deadly Venom', 'James' and 'MenInG'.

Yes, I think it's a situation that's unique to cricket (of athletic sports; it may happen in darts and snooker).

I've actually written a number of pieces about superstar cricketers playing in UK club cricket, albeit most of them so far aren't Pakistani players -- 'Stokistan' and the short thing about Afridi aside (I've done Warne, Waugh [S and M], ABdV, Viv, VVS, Kapil Dev, Allan Donald, AC Gilchrist, MA Taylor and ML Hayden at same club 4y apart, Ambrose, Holding, Dre Russ [T20 great], Shane Bond...).

However, I'm working on the story of Wasim Akram's short stint in the Birmingham League (BDCL) in 1999 for Smethwick. It'll be out at Cricinfo some time over the next couple of months, after I've pulled it all together. He played with Moeen Ali's brother, Kadeer, and cousin, Kabir. Wasim also played a little bit for Aston Unity the following year in BDCL second tier. Lots of interesting stuff in there, most of it off the field! Oh, and he played at Burnopfield near Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1986.

There's also Shoaib Akhtar's season in Northern Ireland. I need to make a trip over and get into the library there when next back in the UK, however.

Plus several other non-Pakistani greats. One club had Gordon Greenidge one year and Malcolm Marshall the next. And when GG couldn't make the first game of the season, they had Richard Hadlee as sub pro. Insane.

I think they're great stories (not just saying that because of vested interest; it's entirely the other way round). I was lucky enough to face Mushtaq Ahmed in a club game and, man, the noise the ball made coming down. This was 2002. The next five years he was the leading wicket-taker in the County Championship, helping Sussex win three CC's after precisely zero in 112 years. Great cricketer, and great bloke.

Anyway, here's a couple of scorecards from north Staffs in 2004, when Mo Asif played against Morne Morkel.

Endon vs Ashcombe Park

Ashcombe Park vs Endon
Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing, interesting scorecards , also noticed Mornie Morkal amongst the wickets aswell, can only imagine what the players feel like rubbing shoulders with pros/ex pros.
 
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Welcome to the club <a href="https://twitter.com/iamamirofficial?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iamamirofficial</a> <a href="https://t.co/tbeipN6QJR">https://t.co/tbeipN6QJR</a> <a href="https://t.co/6tUvQoG4Zr">pic.twitter.com/6tUvQoG4Zr</a></p>— Hornchurch CC (@HCCOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/HCCOfficial/status/1540638825290031104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2022</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
 
Mohammad Amir made his debut for Hornchurch on Saturday 25th June.

3/28 in 11 overs for Hornchurch vs Chelmsford -- Hornchurch won by 8 wickets
 
25th June

Junaid Khan 6/17 in 9 overs for Hoylandswaine CC vs Golcar CC - HOYLANDSWAINE CC WON BY 9 WICKETS

Azeem Ghumman 74 (83) for Chippenham CC, Wilts vs Taunton Deane CC - CHIPPENHAM CC, WILTS WON BY 64 RUNS

Mohammad Irfan 6/46 in 20 overs for Ainsdale CC vs Spring View CC - AINSDALE CC WON BY 24 RUNS
 
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2nd July

Imran Butt 56 (73) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Gedling & Sherwood CC - CAVALIERS AND CARRINGTON CC WON BY 184 RUNS

Ali Zaryab 98 (48) for Kenilworth Wardens CC vs Barnt Green CC - Match Drawn

Azeem Ghumman 64 (69) for Chippenham CC, Wilts vs Thornbury CC, Glos - CHIPPENHAM CC, WILTS WON BY 8 WICKETS

Mohammad Irfan 4/35 for Ainsdale CC vs Bootle CC, BOOTLE CC WON BY 3 WICKETS
 
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9th July

Imran Butt 88(85) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Hucknall CC - HUCKNALL CC WON BY 35 RUNS

Ali Zaryab 107(113) for Kenilworth Wardens vs Berkswell CC - Match Drawn

Mohammad Saad 76(131) for Darlington CC vs Billingham Synthonia CC - DARLINGTON CC WON BY 97 RUNS

Mohammad Irfan 4/74 for Ainsdale CC vs Spring View CC - SPRING VIEW CC WON BY 119 RUNS
 
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16 July :

Azeem Ghumman 127* (103) for Chippenham CC, Wilts vs Clevedon CC - CHIPPENHAM CC, WILTS WON BY 44 RUNS
 
23rd July:

Waqas Maqsood 5/43 for Burnmoor CC vs Felling CC - Match Drawn

Muhammad Saad 4/61 & 49* (86) for Darlington CC vs Marton CC, Yorks - DARLINGTON CC WON BY 4 WICKETS
 
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30th July

Waqas Maqsood, 6/27 for Bunrmoor CC vs Burnopfield CC, BURNMOOR CC WON BY 212 RUNS

Taj Wali, 4/36 for Eppleton CC vs Newcastle CC, NEWCASTLE CC WON BY 4 RUNS
 
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6th August

Waqas Maqsood, 4/44 for Bunrmoor CC vs South Northumberland CC, BURNMOOR CC WON BY 72 RUNS

Ali Usman 4/25 & 32* for Penzance CC vs Werrington CC, Cornwall, PENZANCE CC WON BY 115 RUNS

Mohammad Irfan 6/44 & 74(43) for Ainsdale CC vs Caldy CC - AINSDALE CC WON BY 75 RUNS

Danish Aziz 33* & 5/21 for Rawtenstall CC vs Nelson CC, Lancs
 
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13th August

Imran Butt 102(132) for Cavaliers and Carrington CC vs Papplewick and Linby CC - CAVALIERS AND CARRINGTON CC WON BY 11 RUNS

Ali Zaryab 112*(101) for Kenilworth Wardens CC vs Halesowen CC - KENILWORTH WARDENS CC WON BY 18 RUNS

Touseeq Shah 4/27 for Lordswood CC vs Beckenham CC - LORDSWOOD CC WON BY 87 RUNS

Muhammad Saad 62*(119) for Darlington CC vs Barnard Castle CC - DARLINGTON CC WON BY 3 WICKETS

Mohammad Irfan 3/36 & 100* (152) for Ainsdale CC vs Liverpool CC - Match Drawn
 
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20th August

Ali Zaryab 47 (63) for for Kenilworth Wardens CC vs Shifnal CC - KENILWORTH WARDENS CC WON BY 7 RUNS

Mubasir Khan 3/29 for Seaham Park CC vs Shotley Bridge CC - SHOTLEY BRIDGE CC WON BY 44 RUNS

Muhammad Saad 60* for Darlington CC vs Great Ayton CC - DARLINGTON CC WON BY 7 WICKETS

Mohammad Irfan 2/77 & 121* (133) for Ainsdale CC vs Liverpool CC - AINSDALE CC WON BY 7 RUNS
 
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