Brooklyn College gets High School MVP in time for Regional Championship!
Each year a dominant all rounder has, perhaps by force of their skills and desire to win, taken their team to the Finals, and even the the NYC High School (PSAL) Cricket Championship.
In 2008 and 2009 Robin Das powered Newcomers High school to be repeat Championships. Thakoor Singh took John Adams High to the Finals in 2009, losing to Newcomers.
In 2010 Kavishwar Bridgepaul led Richmond Hill High School to the Finals where they were defeated by William C Bryant.
In 2011 Franklin Delano Roosevelt High School became undefeated Champions led by all rounder Jazeb Tariq . Tariq who will be going to Brooklyn College, opens the bowling, and has a fluid fast runup that predicts the fiery pace he bowls with – he thinks of himself as the PSAL’s Shoiab Akhtar ! In 2011 he has been the fastest bowler in NYC high schools, despite his slight build.
In 2010 Jazeb scored 2 centuries in the high school cricket and with brother Zahib Tariq and Abrar Zahar formed a formidable batting lineup for the 2011 Champions, FDR High School. He also excelled in the NYPD Cricket League.
Jazeb came to the USA at age 14 from Pakistan and, “I loved being a captain since a very early age. Often me and my friends played cricket in the streets and I was the captain since age 10. I thought I wouldn’t be able to play much cricket in this country.
But I was lucky to be among one of the first to play official high school cricket in the United States. Then I was selected in the 18 man squad of the U19 Regional N.Y team last year.
I also play Brooklyn Cricket League with Brooklyn Stars where I am the attack bowler and middle order batsman, and I have been playing NYPD Cricket for the past four years and I was captain of the runners up (Pak Stallions) in 2010. “
How does it feel being the NYC high school Champions – in effect national high school Champions ?
– It was a dream come true. We had been working very hard along with our coach for the past four years and all the hard work had finally paid off. I also captained the Brooklyn Allstars that won the Interboro Championship in 2010 and the Mayor’s Cup in 2011.
– Abrar is one of the most talented U19 players I’ve seen.He is, by far, the most dominant batsman in the PSAL history and has top scored during all his years in PSAL Championship. (Jazeb is being modest as Jazeb has been one of the PSAL’s top batsmen).
We needed him in this team and mostly his own passion of playing cricket for his school convinced him to return.
Like my brothers & I did, you and your brothers all play well – is it from competing & playing with each other ?
-Thats a good question. Since a very young age, me and my brothers played cricket every single day whether it was cold or burning hot. We started playing with the plastic balls and moved on to hard balls at an early age.
Zahib, my younger brother, has represented the U19 regional team and is one of the best all rounders in the team- I’m disappointed he wasn’t selected for the USA Under 19 team. Yes, I think it is because we’ve always supported each other and played together.
You’ve asked me about cricket at Brooklyn College – are you looking forward to playing in American College Cricket ?
– Yes !!!! I’m hoping to start Cricket in Brooklyn College as soon as possible, and hopefully compete in the American College Cricket Championships. I hope I get financial support from college and I think I’ll be able to find enough good players since Brooklyn College has a lot of South Asian students.
American College Cricket is very attractive for someone like me since I wouldn’t have any other tournament to play in after I start college, except for league.
Who is your favorite batsman ? Bowler ? Cricketer ?
– My favorite batsman is Sachin Tendulkar for his class and timing. My favorite bowler is Shoaib Akhtar for the aggression and effort that he put into his bowling. My favorite cricketing personality is Imran Khan. From what I’ve heard he was one of the greatest captains in cricket history.
Jazeb is proud that he was amongst the top students in the graduating Class of 2011 at FDR High, “# 4 to be specific”. He finds Biology very interesting so will probably be pursuing studies in the field of Medicine in college.
Jazeb’s father has been residing here for 12 years, whilst the rest of the family came in 2007. Jazeb’s parents, 2 sisters and 3 brothers live in Coney Island Brooklyn. He listens to Bollywood music, and also likes Eminem and “I enjoy playing basketball sometimes and trying new sports, but of course I’m not as good as I am in Cricket. I like eating out with my friends we do it very often.”
Had Jazeb come to USA even 5 years before he did, when there was no High School cricket league, he most likely would not have continued to play cricket, and would have been lost to cricket like so many other generations (including my nephews).
This is what those who speak of “spreading the game to mainstream Americans” do not understand – nothing will happen for cricket in America if the boys who come here with a cricket background do not have opportunities to continue playing the game – they are people too.
Jazeb Tariq in 2009
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