Shahid Afridi launches cricket club in Toronto

[MenInG]

https://www.dawn.com/news/1406267/shahid-afridi-launches-cricket-club-in-toronto

TORONTO: Former Pakistan all-rounder and T20 skipper Shahid Afridi launched a cricket club in his name here this week which will compete in the local Toronto & District League, starting from May 19. The league m atches will be played on cricket grounds across the GTA and King City.

“During my meetings with Mayor John Tory and Premier Kathleen Wynne on my last visit to Canada, they discussed the need to support the development of cricket in Canada and I promised to do something,” said Afridi.

“It’s important to promote sports among the youth. I am very happy to announce that we have launched Shahid Afridi Cricket Club to compete in TDCA and have signed former Canadian cricket team captain Rizwan Cheema as captain and mentor, and Ameem Haq as the General Manager,” he added.

The captain of SACC, Rizwan Cheema said: “I feel proud to be a part of the club and honoured to be chosen to lead the side. We have signed a number of cricketers who have played for the Canada’s national team and Under-19 team, which puts the expectations very high from the get-go for SACC. I am confident that we will put our best foot forward."

Cheema, ex-captain of Canada’s national team, is a level-2 certified coach and has played 41 international matches including the ICC World Cup.

Afridi further said: “Cheema is an explosive batsman known for his hard-hitting batting and medium pace bowling, he is my kind of player and the pride of modern Canadian cricket”.

Canada’s speed-star Cecil Pervez said, “It is a great feeling to represent the club of a living legend like Shahid Afridi and I’m looking forward to a great season. We have a good mixture of youth and experience and we are going to raise the bar for the players with hard work and focus.”

Canada national team’s fast bowler Satsimranjit Dhindsa said, “I am excited to be part of the club and to play along side players who have achieved so much at the highest level. For Canadian cricket to flourish, we need this transfer of knowledge and skill and I hope we achieve this.”

Over 100 teams will be competing for championship in different categories and conferences. GTA has an estimated 20,000 registered cricketers competing in various leagues, of which the TDCA is the biggest cricket league in Canada and North America.

Shahid Afridi Cricket Club offered contracts to the following cricketers namely Rizwan Cheema, Satsimranjit Dhindsa, Cecil Pervez, Ammar Khalid, Asad Zaidi, Maahil Arshad, Simon Pervez, Muzammil Ali, Ali Irfan, Mudassir Ali, Yax Patel”. Afridi himself also currently in talks to play the Global T20 Canada League which is slated to be played later this year in June.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Good initiative by Lala

 

[JattMaula]

Lala will save cricket. #destiny

 

[MenInG]

Lots of Canadian PPers will be interested in this am sure!

 

[hadi123]

Lots of interest in cricket in Canada, hopefully is successful.

 

[Square Drive]

Brilliant from Lala!

 

[Taaya]

I've played with/against many of the names in that team. They are definitely talented cricketers! Solid initiative by Lala.

 

[UP]

Unless the native population gets invloved - I don’t see cricket going anywhere in Canada.

Cricket will never become a big part of USA/Canada solely because of MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA.

 

[ahmedzee]

wow, Ammar Khalid is a friend of mine. Great that Afridi launched a club.

 

[MMHS]

Unless the native population gets invloved - I donÂ’t see cricket going anywhere in Canada.

Cricket will never become a big part of USA/Canada solely because of MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA.

What is native population? I am an immigrant, my kids are Canadian, their kids will be native Canadian. Majority of NBA, MLB or NFL players are black or Hispanic - they are the decedents of African and Latino slaves.

Latest (2016) census tells that the fattest age band in Canada is 40-65 age group, almost 35%, which means this is an aging nation. That's despite flooding of immigrants in last 2 decades, most of them are young, in their 20s/30s and they have taken multiple kids in Canada. Main reason for that in white & black Canadians are not interested in raising kids, in fact majority are not interested in permanent relationship. In GTA, from 2011 Census to 2016 census, a major change is that population of South Asian origin has crossed Population of Chinese origin (19mn vs 18mn).

In population by country (immigrant from source), this doesn't reflect because many South Asian don't take their native Passport, rather they are recognized as Canadian - hence you'll see number of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Srilankan are significantly lower than what it is (for example - we two carry duel passport, our kids are Canadian with a "no visa required"); but from demographic ethnicity, South Asians are the largest community in GTA (23-25%; 19 mn) and the fastest growing strata. By 2035, Canada is likely to reach 50mn, and at least 10% from South Asian origin - most of them will be native Canadian by then.

In this regard, Canada is totally different from Middle East or Malaysia or even Europe, where most South Asian are service holders, they are given work permit or business opportunity, but they (their kids) won't get passport. Canada is a country of immigrants - only 4.5% are indigenous people (And rapidly declining), who are given privilege of 1st Nation status. Entire population are basically decedents of immigrants - British & French came 200+ years ago; then the Irish, Scots and Scandinavians. Either side of 2 WW, east Europeans, Turks, Russians came in lot. During Nazi regime millions of Jews from East Europe flooded East coast - mostly is NY, Toronto & Montreal. During Indira Ghandi's Shikh oppression in 70s & 80s, thousands of Shikhs came and outside IND, Canada has the highest number of Shikhs in world, over a million - city of Brampton is the only City in world with higher % of Shikh (25%) than Muslims or Hindus in world (could be smaller townships, but not a city of almost a million).

Similar time, Iran went through Islamic revolution and millions of Iranians fled Iran - lots of them are in Canada now (or resting in Canadian graves). At the same time, Sinhalese have brutally wiped out Tamils out of Lanka and a good chunk has landed in Canada, 20 years later Afghans have come during war with "peace keepers" - at least 200K. Through out these 200 years, Chinese have came to Canada in numbers, as a laborer or traders; few years back thousands or Egyptians & Libyans came, now latest our good guy Trudeau is bringing Syrians, Yemenis, Somalis, Nigerians in bulk - his dad brought Iraqi Shias and Kurdish in 80s under Saddam's regime. Slovan Milosevic has increased Canada's population by at least 100K in 90s while Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin & Mao had biggest contribution for the demographics of this nation, otherwise till 1930s, Canada's population was less than 10mn, for a country of 10mn Sq KM (that's 1 in every KM either way)

Besides, in last 20 years, highest no. of Bangladeshis have migrated to Canada - more than AUS, UK & USA combined. I am sure, this is similar for PAK as well. There are millions of Black Caribbeans - from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana (Guyana's population is roughly 750,000, and immigrant Guyanese population in Canada is ~200K!!!), these people follow cricket. Top few Canadian sprinters (Jonson, Bailey, Surin, De Grassy) are Caribbean born, same for most soccer players - either Latino, Hispanic, Middle-eastern or African. Latest I have noticed than many white South African & ZIM family has moved to Canada instead of going to UK.

Cricket is going to be BIG in Canada, trust me. It just needs one trigger - there is enough market and interest. We just need one Lalit Modi to ignite the crackers - it'll be a grand fire works. In that regard, I must appreciate Lala - he started something which'll end in big & his name 'll be there.

 

[www787]

What is native population? I am an immigrant, my kids are Canadian, their kids will be native Canadian. Majority of NBA, MLB or NFL players are black or Hispanic - they are the decedents of African and Latino slaves.

Latest (2016) census tells that the fattest age band in Canada is 40-65 age group, almost 35%, which means this is an aging nation. That's despite flooding of immigrants in last 2 decades, most of them are young, in their 20s/30s and they have taken multiple kids in Canada. Main reason for that in white & black Canadians are not interested in raising kids, in fact majority are not interested in permanent relationship. In GTA, from 2011 Census to 2016 census, a major change is that population of South Asian origin has crossed Population of Chinese origin (19mn vs 18mn).

In population by country (immigrant from source), this doesn't reflect because many South Asian don't take their native Passport, rather they are recognized as Canadian - hence you'll see number of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Srilankan are significantly lower than what it is (for example - we two carry duel passport, our kids are Canadian with a "no visa required"); but from demographic ethnicity, South Asians are the largest community in GTA (23-25%; 19 mn) and the fastest growing strata. By 2035, Canada is likely to reach 50mn, and at least 10% from South Asian origin - most of them will be native Canadian by then.

In this regard, Canada is totally different from Middle East or Malaysia or even Europe, where most South Asian are service holders, they are given work permit or business opportunity, but they (their kids) won't get passport. Canada is a country of immigrants - only 4.5% are indigenous people (And rapidly declining), who are given privilege of 1st Nation status. Entire population are basically decedents of immigrants - British & French came 200+ years ago; then the Irish, Scots and Scandinavians. Either side of 2 WW, east Europeans, Turks, Russians came in lot. During Nazi regime millions of Jews from East Europe flooded East coast - mostly is NY, Toronto & Montreal. During Indira Ghandi's Shikh oppression in 70s & 80s, thousands of Shikhs came and outside IND, Canada has the highest number of Shikhs in world, over a million - city of Brampton is the only City in world with higher % of Shikh (25%) than Muslims or Hindus in world (could be smaller townships, but not a city of almost a million).

Similar time, Iran went through Islamic revolution and millions of Iranians fled Iran - lots of them are in Canada now (or resting in Canadian graves). At the same time, Sinhalese have brutally wiped out Tamils out of Lanka and a good chunk has landed in Canada, 20 years later Afghans have come during war with "peace keepers" - at least 200K. Through out these 200 years, Chinese have came to Canada in numbers, as a laborer or traders; few years back thousands or Egyptians & Libyans came, now latest our good guy Trudeau is bringing Syrians, Yemenis, Somalis, Nigerians in bulk - his dad brought Iraqi Shias and Kurdish in 80s under Saddam's regime. Slovan Milosevic has increased Canada's population by at least 100K in 90s while Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin & Mao had biggest contribution for the demographics of this nation, otherwise till 1930s, Canada's population was less than 10mn, for a country of 10mn Sq KM (that's 1 in every KM either way)

Besides, in last 20 years, highest no. of Bangladeshis have migrated to Canada - more than AUS, UK & USA combined. I am sure, this is similar for PAK as well. There are millions of Black Caribbeans - from Jamaica, Barbados, Trinidad, Guyana (Guyana's population is roughly 750,000, and immigrant Guyanese population in Canada is ~200K!!!), these people follow cricket. Top few Canadian sprinters (Jonson, Bailey, Surin, De Grassy) are Caribbean born, same for most soccer players - either Latino, Hispanic, Middle-eastern or African. Latest I have noticed than many white South African & ZIM family has moved to Canada instead of going to UK.

Cricket is going to be BIG in Canada, trust me. It just needs one trigger - there is enough market and interest. We just need one Lalit Modi to ignite the crackers - it'll be a grand fire works. In that regard, I must appreciate Lala - he started something which'll end in big & his name 'll be there.

All that is fine, granted Canada is multi-ethnic land but how many of those native wants to play cricket? Most want to play basketball or ice hockey.

Unless In school cricket is played like other sports then there is no future.

 

[MMHS]

All that is fine, granted Canada is multi-ethnic land but how many of those native wants to play cricket? Most want to play basketball or ice hockey.

Unless In school cricket is played like other sports then there is no future.

Lots of interest in cricket, despite not having any structure or system. School cricket is just starting - it won't start over night, but things are moving. In school districts, where south Asian students are above critical numbers, they do play cricket. In Thorncliff area, there are several cricket grounds, must be in Brampton & Mississauga as well. South Asian families still follow cricket - one reason is the country link (still IND, PAK, BD, SRL, AFG teams are tv crowd pullers), other reason is - we are horrible in most other sports. Ice Hockey, Basketball, Yank Football even Baseball is extremely physical sports - we won't compete with Black Canadians or East Europeans by body mass - there is one Shikh kid (7'5"), drafted for NBA - but since then, he is spending more time on doctor's bed than basketball floor. We are among top Volleyball nation courtesy to the Russian, Ukrainian, East European, Cuban & Italian community while in winter Olympics, Canada is always among top, because the country is like that. Only left is soccer, which is well taken care of Africans, Latinos & Europeans. In fact, Canada is now 10th/11th in field hockey - ahead of PAK in ranking - there are good number of Shikh, Dutch, German & Spanish origin players in that hockey team!!!!!

South Asian population needs their own game, and cricket is the perfect platform - someone just needs to bring the community on the stage, rest'll roll smoothly thereafter.

 

[MenInG]

Unless the native population gets invloved - I don’t see cricket going anywhere in Canada.

Cricket will never become a big part of USA/Canada solely because of MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA.

Many people of Pakistan and Indian origins call Canada their home so them playing for Canada would be fine

 

[www787]

Lots of interest in cricket, despite not having any structure or system. School cricket is just starting - it won't start over night, but things are moving. In school districts, where south Asian students are above critical numbers, they do play cricket. In Thorncliff area, there are several cricket grounds, must be in Brampton & Mississauga as well. South Asian families still follow cricket - one reason is the country link (still IND, PAK, BD, SRL, AFG teams are tv crowd pullers), other reason is - we are horrible in most other sports. Ice Hockey, Basketball, Yank Football even Baseball is extremely physical sports - we won't compete with Black Canadians or East Europeans by body mass - there is one Shikh kid (7'5"), drafted for NBA - but since then, he is spending more time on doctor's bed than basketball floor. We are among top Volleyball nation courtesy to the Russian, Ukrainian, East European, Cuban & Italian community while in winter Olympics, Canada is always among top, because the country is like that. Only left is soccer, which is well taken care of Africans, Latinos & Europeans. In fact, Canada is now 10th/11th in field hockey - ahead of PAK in ranking - there are good number of Shikh, Dutch, German & Spanish origin players in that hockey team!!!!!

South Asian population needs their own game, and cricket is the perfect platform - someone just needs to bring the community on the stage, rest'll roll smoothly thereafter.

I have seen cricket grounds in Thornclif and one in Brampton but i have never seen Canadian born S. Asian playing on those field. Only migrant.

I highly doubt that cricket will be one of the sports played by native Canadian. But you never know.

 

[Abdul]

I have seen cricket grounds in Thornclif and one in Brampton but i have never seen Canadian born S. Asian playing on those field. Only migrant.

I highly doubt that cricket will be one of the sports played by native Canadian. But you never know.

There's a couple in Brampton that I know of. There's one literally called Batsman Park in Springdale.

 

[MenInG]

There's a couple in Brampton that I know of. There's one literally called Batsman Park in Springdale.

Wonder if Afridi will actually play a whole tournament or just show up for one or 2 games?

 

[Abdul]

Wonder if Afridi will actually play a whole tournament or just show up for one or 2 games?

No one really seems to care about cricket here. I wonder how much crowd there will be if Afridi does come. I know I'm not going because it's Afridi.

 

[AssassinatedDevil]

Cricket legend Shahid Afridi starts up new club in Mississauga

A new cricket club has been formed in Mississauga with hopes of growing the game in Canada.

Pakistani cricket star Shahid Afridi has created the Shahid Afridi Cricket Club, which will begin playing in the Toronto and District Cricket Association semi-pro league on Monday, May 21.

While the club will be based out of Mississauga, it will play its games all across the GTA this summer.

Afridi, former captain of the Pakistan national team, visited Canada last year and formed the new program after discussions with Toronto Mayor John Tory and Premier Kathleen Wynne about the need to support the development of cricket in Canada.

Known by his nickname Boom Boom, he has played in 396 international matches and set a record for youngest player to score a century at the international level.

Afridi announced his retirement from international play last year, but plans on playing a few games with his newly found team in the summer.

He will eventually hold youth academies to help children learn the game and develop.

One of the renowned players on Afridi’s club is former Canadian national team captain Rizwan Cheema, who will serve as captain of the new squad as well.

https://www.mississauga.com/sports-...hid-afridi-starts-up-new-club-in-mississauga/

 

[Arham_PakFan]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Proud of <a href="https://twitter.com/shahidafridicc?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@shahidafridicc</a> for winning 3 in a row! Have to appreciate every team member and highlight the superb performances of Dhindsa, Cecil, Asad, Arsalan, Ammar, Aiyub and <a href="https://twitter.com/Rizwancheema991?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Rizwancheema991</a> along with his captaincy and leadership. Well done boys, see you all soon <a href="https://twitter.com/TDCACricket?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@TDCACricket</a> <a href="https://t.co/jDfUIpRtL1">pic.twitter.com/jDfUIpRtL1</a></p>— Shahid Afridi (@SAfridiOfficial) <a href="https://twitter.com/SAfridiOfficial/status/1006120913878777857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 11, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Smbhayi]

he's promoting his brands well...

 

[Suleiman]

Actually cricket is a fair bit popular in Canada. Yeah you can say natives don't care, but that doesn't matter when every other guy on the street is a desi LOL.

Have been to a few of these league games and played my fair share as well. Always packed crowds and people drive from 1-2+ hours to watch.

Whenever Pakistan won CT2017 people came out in droves for parades.

 

[CadPakFan]

These matches aren't recorded on ESPN. Are they played on noncertified grounds?