Back in 2010 I wrote an article about “America’s first Cricket Star in 100 years – Adil Bhatti” . Here is an updated version of it, upon his selection to the USA team – Lloyd Jodah 

In his first year of American College Cricket Adil Bhatti made the Front page story of the Sunday Washington Post, and also the New York Times, Voice of America News, Sun Sentinel and his college and local media, after leading his team to the Chanderpaul Trophy. 

2009 

After winning the first American College Cricket Championship in 2009, Bhatti and his team received a Proclamation from the Montgomery County Council and accolades from his school Montgomery College. The team’s, and American College Cricket’s story appeared in countless Indian media, on Pakistan and Afghanistan TV as well as various American and International cricket media. 

Bhatti was also selected as the Captain of the 2009 College Cricket All America 1st Team and declared 2009 College Cricketer of the Year. It’s easy to see why Adil Bhatti could be considered the first American cricket star since the great John Bart King a hundred years ago. 

A talented all-rounder, Adil Bhatti broke onto the scene when he led Montgomery College to the Chanderpaul Trophy at the inaugural American College Cricket Spring Break Championship in March 2009. In the Finals he came at number four when his Team looked shaky ,and together with Finals MVP Mohammed Kamran put on 108 runs to steer MC to a defendable total of 175 for 3 off 20 overs, scoring 36*. His fast bowling, and astute captaincy then ensured MC defeated University of South Florida for the first National Championship. 

Before the Championship the MC players had never played as a Team before, nevertheless Bhatti motivated and managed the Team with a professionalism that was impressive. 

Bhatti said “Winning the Chanderpaul Trophy was unbelievable. Getting water poured on me….well, I had seen that kind of excitement in College football but I never thought I would lead a Team to any kind of Championship. I was so proud of my Teammates, Kamran’s innings in the Finals was match winning.” 

When asked how he knew to captain so well his first time at it he acknowledged, “I learned a lot from the Captain of my WCL team, Anurag Sharma of the Bengals.”

A tremendous fielder Bhatti is fast and extremely athletic. “I played basketball a lot in high school- in fact I thought I was going to be a basketball player,not a cricketer….and I workout in the gym 4 times a week ” . 

Until 2006 Bhatti had only played tape-ball cricket! He began playing “hardball” in 2006 in the Washington Cricket League as an allrounder and excelling as a bowler. In 2009 his batting blossomed , first in the College championship, then in the WCL where he was one of only 2 batsmen to score 2 or more centuries. 

2009 also saw Bhatti lead MC on 3 trips to New York. Bhatti, leading an under strength Montgomery excelled with the bat and ball, and captained well in 2 tight losses. “That was a lot of fun though, as we got to meet Bollywood Stars like Tanushra Dutta” Bhatti said. The 3rd they won helped by a devastating opening spell by Bhatti when he took the wickets of Akeem Dodson and Any Mohammed. Then he smashed 32* out of a 41 run partnership to seal the win for Montgomery against a New York All Star team. 

2010 

In the 2010 American College Cricket Championship Montgomery had their moments but didn’t make it to the final four. Against the University of the West Indies fiery pace attack, on a fast bouncy pitch Bhatti blasted 60* including 21 in one over. A hook off the helmet was as fine as you’ll see. Bhatti’s batting temperament is mature, holding his end when appropriate, or decimating the bowlers when the time is right. 

Later that summer ,with some of his team mates,Bhatti initiated a vist to St Patrick’s Episcopal Day School, to teach elementary school kids about cricket, exemplifying the best of American College Cricket players. Any sport needs stars for kids to look up to, and wish to emulate. 

2011

Bhatti was selected as co -MVP, with Adrian Gordon, of the 2011 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship, where he smashed 3 fifties, steering his team to victories on a number of occasions. Montgomery College returned to the Finals where, though Bhatti scored 50 runs, they lost the Championship to George Mason University. 

In April 2011 Adil then went with American College Cricket founder and President Lloyd Jodah to the National Baseball Hall of Fame, to open the historic Cricket Exhibition, “Swinging Away – how Cricket and Baseball connect.” Never before had cricket been honored by baseball ,the Hall of Fame, or America. 

He has been a College All American in 2009, 2010 & 2011.

I have watched Adil hold his end whilst his fellow batsman go after the bowlers, then take over when neccessary – he is a very smart cricket player, America’s best T20 player and, through American College Cricket, became America’s first cricket star in 100 years – we are happy he’s finally getting an opportunity he said he wanted since 2009 – to play for the USA (in the ICC T20 World Cup Qualifier).

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house not a soul was stirring….not even a mouse…..well actually the wireless mouse was stirring as Santa was on the computer on Facebook. 

He was making last minute preparations for…..well he should have been making last minute preparations for Christmas, checking his list, and checking it twice ! But Santa was actually sending a Facebook Friend Request to Lloyd Jodah, President of American College Cricket and writting an email.

 

Mrs Claus was getting on Santa’s case, “All month, on & on about what’s his name and his 100 centuries,- its  Christmas why are you still busy with cricket ? You have to begin delivering Gifts now – the Sleigh is loaded and ready. Lots of kids are waiting for their Christmas Gifts!”

 

Santa was under pressure, but he kept his cool, “I know, I know….but this is really important….I got all these requests from guys in Universities all over the USA & Canada who want to play in the 2012 American College Cricket Spring Break Championship – I have to see what I can do to get them what they want. ”

 

“Well hurry up” Mrs Claus urged, ”Oh and whilst you’re doing that see if you can get Rudolph in too, he was telling me something about Spring Break, chicks and cricket”.

 

“Rudolph ?” Santa seemed surprised.

 

“Yes, Rudolph, ” Mrs Claus confirmed, “The other Reindeer won’t let him play in any Bowl Games, so he wants to go to the American College Cricket Championship.”

 

“I’ll see what I can do my Dear, ” Santa said as he continued clicking away on his computer, taking a sip on his Starbucks Egg Nog.

 

Suddenly there was a loud “Yesss!!!” as Santa Claus jumped out of his seat, accidentally knocking over his Egg Nog……Mrs Claus came running into the room to see what the commotion was about !  “What happened ?! “ she asked.

 

Santa answered excitedly, “Yes !!! Apparently Lloyd spends a lot of time on Facebook, he responded quickly ! He said he will allow the late Colleges in ! and even better….he will let Rudolph and the Reindeer play too….Rudolph will lead the North Pole University Cricket team ! ”

 

Mrs Claus rushed over and hugged Santa, ”OOoooooohhhhhh..what a Merry Christmas, I loove yooouuu my Jelly Belly,my Chubby Hubby,my Rolly Poly, my Michelin Man,….I would hug you tighter if I could get my arms around you !”

 

“Thank you dear” Santa said, “I’m happy just being with you here…..but it’ll be great for Rudolph & the Reindeer to go play cricket at Spring Break with their college peers. Plus they’ll enjoy the Ft Lauderdale Beaches, Miami, South Beach and the women down there”.

 

“You are such a thoughtful man, Santa, and so self less ” Mrs Claus gushed, “By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you, what’s all this mail we’ve been getting from American and Canadian Universities ? ”

 

“Oh that? ” Santa responded off handedly, “I’ve just been thinking of going back to college for a Master’s .”

 

“Going back to College ?! ” Mrs Claus let Santa go quicker than a hot plate, “Are you planning on going back to College so you can play in the American College Cricket Spring Break Championship ? ! ”

 

Reported by Lloyd Jodah

 

 

 

New York, October 4, 2011 

American College Cricket today announced an agreement with TV Asia as their exclusive worldwide broadcast partner in all formats for matches beginning October 09, 2011 in the United States

The Semi finals and Finals of the North East and Mid Atlantic Regional Championships will be available on TV Asia every Saturday at 7 pm EDT beginning October 29, and repeated at 12 midnight EDT each Saturday until December 8, 2011. The schedule will be more extensive next Fall.

The top 32 teams from this Fall season will then compete in the Nationals, the American College Cricket Spring Break Championship in March 2012 in Florida – Cricket Craziness just before College Basketball’s March Madness!

 TV Asia will televise the American College Cricket Spring Break Championship including the final 6 matches live from Florida on TV Asia. The National Championship will be played as usual for the Shiv Chanderpaul Trophy.

 ”American College Cricket pioneered cricket promotion on Facebook, Twitter and now Google +, to reach the Cricket audience in the USA and Canada and was the first to broadcast domestic cricket in the USA in March 2010. TV Asia’s mission and strategy is geared towards the American and Canadian audience so they are the ideal Media Partners”, American College Cricket’s founder and President Lloyd Jodah stated.

 ”In continuing with our mission to highlight and encourage local Talent, TV Asia is proud to be associated with American College Cricket in televising the regionals and the Spring break Championship Cricket matches in USA & Canada”, stated Mr. H.R. Shah Chairman of TV Asia. “This agreement reaffirms TV Asia’s commitment to be the Voice and Mirror of the South Asian Community in United States and Canada,” added Mr. Shah who agreed to be on the Advisory Board of American College Cricket.

For further details on American College Cricket Click Here: http://tvasiausa.com/images/pdf/acc.pdf

 About American College Cricket:

 American College Cricket was founded November 2008 with the mission of “Bringing back the Original American and Canadian game”. The first national Championship took place in March 2009 with 5 newly developed teams. It has grown, and developed enduring structures, in about 50 Colleges for the 2011 regional Championships.

 In a major breakthrough for the game, American College Cricket has been featured in mainstream media such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Voice of America, NY Daily News, Canadian Broadcasting Corp, College media and the International Cricket Council film “Cricket in America Part 3″.

 For additional information visit www.americancollegecricket.com

 About TV Asia: 

 TV Asia is a US based pay Channel available on Echo Star’s Dish Network Platform, on major Cable systems such as Cablevision, Time Warner, Comcast Xfinity, Cox, and on Verizon FIOS and A T & T u verse as well as Rogers and Bell Canada.

TV Asia mission is to highlight South Asian Talent in the USA and Canada and promote our rich heritage in the arts, religion, sports and culture and inspire the current generation to uphold and carry forward the rich and ancient ideals of our glorious past.

TV Asia engages with the community and is the Voice and Mirror of the South Asian Community in North America.

For additional information visit www.tvasiausa.com

American College Cricket is pleased to have played a role in getting the NYPD Cricket team started last year, and assisting, particularly with the media, in this cricket match.

The NYPD Cricket Team on Sunday Sept 4th, earned their first victory, defeating the Pakistan Consulate Security Force team easily in a 20 over cricket match.

The Pakistani team made 112 and the NYPD was able to get this with 7 wickets to spare, powered by a magnificent innings of 62 by Police Officer Habeeb.

Last year NYPD Sargeant Mahaan Chandu asked American College Cricket President Lloyd Jodah to assist in organizing two friendly cricket matches, to facilitate the creation of a NYPD Cricket team. The result was NYPD Cricket’s first games vs an informal team called the “Jodah American College Cricket XI”.

Both teams had a lot of fun that day, and the result was the establishment of a NYPD Cricket Team which this year played in the Commonwealth Cricket League.

Top desi channel TV Asia was there to cover the historic event, and Sgt Chandu explained how he took a giant leap and got cricket made an exhibition sport in the World Police and Fire Games . Assisted by Sargeant Rana the first cricket match was scheduled as part of those Games, against the Pakistan Consulate Security Force.

Sixty-nine sports are played at the World Police and Fire Games every two years since 1985, so it is astounding that cricket has not been one of those before. Unfortunately however this is typical of cricket’s governing hierarchies’ “head in the sand” approach to promoting the game.

So on a beautiful sunny day,in Cunningham Park, Queens, with the aroma of barbeque grills, and desi food like Chicken tikka masala the two teams lined up for the Opening Ceremony, in front of the many family members who had come to watch the game.The National Anthems of the USA and Pakistan were sung, and bagpipes were played.

Sargeant Chandu thanked NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly for his support, his fellow officers, and Lloyd Jodah for assisting with organizing the event.

The Pakistan Consulate team was captained by the NY Consul General of Pakistan, Faqir Hussein and might have been the favorites before the game. Batting first, however they managed to make only 112 despite a good start by Akram 15, and Col 17. Zahid down the order made 17.

Police Officer Owais was top bowler for the NYPD, getting at least 2 wickets (if we cannot give you all the numbers its not because the scorecard was incomplete, but because its “classified “information lol ).

NYPD got off to a blazing start, with PO Habeeb collaring the bowling whilst PO Dev kept things under surveillance. Habeeb cover drove through gaps square of cover, flicked over square leg, drove straight down the ground and over midoff, for 4s and 6s in an arresting display of strokeplay.

After 4 overs NYPD was 46 for 1 and the Consulate bowlers seemed handcuffed and unable to stop Habeeb who breached the cordon for boundaries, whilst PO Ahmed patrolled the other end.

By the time PO Habeeb was out for 62 his team was set for victory with POs Shiba 2* and Owais 18* cruising to victory. Owais ended the game with a huge 6 over cover .

Both PO Habeeb and PO Owais were named MVPs, and then, in an unusual twist Habeeb was named Man of the Match ! His fellow police officers also urged him to show up for more games !

Top Desi channel TV Asia covered the the event, which raised funds for “Hope for the Warriors”, a non-profit organization that seeks to “enhance quality of life for U.S. service members and their families nationwide who have been adversely affected by injuries or death in the line of duty”.

Faqir Hussein,the Pakistan Consul General, praised the event as “demonstrating the goodwill sports can help develop.” and looked forward to more such cricket matches.

Next year Sgt Chandu plans to have a tournament involving other NYC law enforcement organisations, and in 2013 the NYPD Cricket team will hopefully play in the World Police and Fire Games in Belfast, Ireland. Later this month NYPD cricket might play an American College Cricket team.

American College Cricket President Lloyd Jodah said, “In 1844 the first international sporting event of ANY kind, a cricket match between Canada and the USA took place in New York – so I’m happy to see every step NY makes, such as this event, to be a leader once again in the cricket world.”

PHOTOS TO BE POSTED SOON.

Kishan Dass - NY's Sultan of Swing !

Beautiful day, at Baisley Pond Park South…..with a soothing breeze blowing across the field…..I would have loved to be batting, but since I was a bit over 23 years of age, it was great sitting in the shade, watching some exciting cricket.

The NY Youth Cricket Academy was playing Brooklyn Knights in the Under 23 Tournament and a lot of  talented cricketers were present, including me of course and USA player Akeem Dodson (York College).

Wilson and Mars got NYYCA of to a rousing start, knocking 15 off the first over. 15 year old Wilson followed up his 91 from last week with 27 today. 

17 year old high school senior Troy Mars delighted with 68, stroking 7 fours and 2 sixes all over the Baisley Park ground. He drove straight down the ground, over cover and over midwicket. 18 year old left hander Carmichael got into the act with some lovely shots but Umar extracted some pace with his bouncers and Carmichael skied one for the keeper to take the catch. Carmichael got 40 with 4 fours and 2 sixes. 

NYCCA made 200 for 5 in their 20 overs but with Akeem Dodson (York College & USA) and Umar opening the batting, Brooklyn Knights had a good chance. 

Umar drove over midwicket for 4, then straight drove for 6, was dropped at long on and got 4 runs and Brooklyn Knights were off to a blazing start off Hugo D’Oliveira (York). But D’Oliveira was unfazed and struck, bowling Dodson for a duck. 

The powerful hitter Abdullah Syed joined Umar, who kept hitting everything even as he generously offered the NYCCA fielders catches – which they declined ! 

In the meantime 18 year old left arm pacer Kishan Dass was swinging the ball like he was Wasim Akram, and he soon had three batsmen beaten and caught behind. Two others were beaten by inswingers and out lbw ! 

We would tell you who they were, if we knew, but Dass got them out so quickly they were like phantom batsmen ! 

Kishan Dass finished with 5 wickets for 26 runs in an excellent spell of swing bowling, as Brooklyn Knights were routed for 65 runs ! 

Afterwards, a tasty dinner courtesy of Ricky Kissoon in the twilight summer beauty of Baisley Pond Park, for the players, and happily, for me !

Photo: Troy Mars

OTHER RESULT

(2) Brooklyn Finest defeated NY Warriors @ Marine Park

Four teams to compete in the playoffs on August 19th. @ Marine Park.
Championship Match on August 26th. 3:00 pm @ Baisley South