Canada crowned cricket champions

The competition, now in its third year, has attracted leading players, including three former first class Pakistani cricketers who competed this year and two current national players from Norway.

The tournament was initiated in 2009 by Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, and has grown in popularity with more International teams participating in 2011 than ever before.

Chairman of the Tournament, Mirza Abdul Rashid said: “It is said that cricket is a religion in some countries so isn’t it great that a faith-based community is hosting this event.

“While the aim is to play first-class cricket which can be enjoyed by players and spectators alike, we also hope to bring communities together and show how sport can help break down barriers.”

The teams were divided into four groups of four with the top two from each group playing in the quarter finals. The games were played over three venues which included Abbey Recreation Ground Morden, Raynes Park Sports Ground and King George’s Playing Fields.

President of the tournament Maulana Munir Udin Shams “encouraged viewers watching worldwide to make the tournament an even bigger success and reached out to countries such as Australia and France to participate in the tournament in 2012”.

It has already been agreed by the organisers that the tournament in 2012 will be extended to four days.

After two days of competition the first semi final saw the United Kingdom post an impressive 160 in 20 overs against Norway with man of the match Nasir Basra outstanding for the UK team with bat and bowl, supported by Abdul Qadir’s left arm spin.

Norway, in reply were bowled out for 96. Captain of the United Kingdom team Irfan Ahmed was delighted with all the teams combined efforts.

In the second semi-final we witnessed the game of the tournament with previous winners Canada (2009) up against last year’s winners Germany.

The German team won the toss and elected to bat and posted a target of 127 in their twenty overs.

They seemed to be comfortable with the Canadian team 8 wickets down for 90 runs.

However, a match winning knock from Rashid which included some huge sixes inspired the Canadian team to an incredible victory and shifted the entire focus of the tournament as they gained momentum in beating last year’s winners.

The final was rather a one sided contest with Irfan winning the toss for the United Kingdom and electing to bat first in very windy conditions.

His three opening batsmen all perished within the first five overs all trying to hit the ball out of the ground against the wind and being caught on the boundary.

The team never recovered and were bowled out for 77.

Only Abid Ahmed(20) and Nasir Bisra 16 not out, who was left stranded by some poor batting at the other end.

This was the lowest score in any final since the tournament was initiated three years ago.

Canada won the match with 9 wickets in hand and became the 2011 world champions. Nasir Mehmood, with 43 not out, was man of the match for Canada.

In his concluding address, Hadhrat Mirza Masroor Ahmad, worldwide head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community stressed a number of points.

This competition was not about winners, but taught members of the community to come together in peace and harmony. It encouraged discipline, teamwork, respect and brother hood. The motto of the community always has been “love for all hatred for none”.

Pool Matches

Match 1: United Kingdom VS Pakistan

Pakistan: 109/all out in 19 overs United Kingdom: 111/3 in 13.4 over Result: United Kingdom won by 7 Wickets and Man of the Match was Abdul Qadir of United Kingdom

Match 2: Omair XI VS Switzerland

Omair XI: 161/7 in 20 overs Switzerland: 125/all out in 17.3 overs Result: Omair XI won by 36 and Man of the Match was Waqas Ahmad of Switzerland

Match 3:

United Kingdom A VS Netherlands Netherlands: 127/7 in 18 overs United Kingdom A: 128/6 in 17 overs Result: United Kingdom A won by 4 wickets and Man of the Match was Adeel Shahzad of United Kingdom A

Match 4: U S A VS Norway

U S A: 133/7 in 18 Overs Norway: 137/2 in 16 Overs Result: Norway won by 8 wickets and Man of the Match was Atta-ul-Aziz of Norway

Match 5: Germany VS Jamia UK

Germany: 188/4 in 18 overs Jamia UK: 85/all out in 15.1 overs Result: Germany won by 103 runs and Man of the Match was Aadil Tahir of Germany

Match 6: Canada VS Ireland

Canada: 159/4 in 20 overs Ireland: 81/ all out in 15.5 overs Result: Canada won by 78 runs and Man of the Match was Rubbani of Canada

Match 7: Pakistan VS Switzerland Switzerland: 136/6 in 18 overs

Result: Pakistan won by 19 runs and the Man of the Match was Hussaan Mehmood of Pakistan

Match 8: Omair XI VS United Kingdom

Omair XI: 83/all out in 18 overs United Kingdom: 84/1 in 13 overs Result: United Kingdom won by 9 wickets and Man of the Match Shakir of United Kingdom

Match 9: U S A VS Netherlands

Netherlands: 98/5 in 13 overs U S A: 99/3 in 10.5 overs Result: U S A won by 7 wickets and Man of the Match was Humayoun of U S A

Match 10: United Kingdom A VS Norway

United Kingdom A: 153/5 in 15 overs Norway: 111/6 in 15 overs Result: United Kingdom A won by 42 runs and Man of the Match was Rehan Mansoor of United Kingdom A

Match 11: Jamia UK VS India

India: 82/7 in 15 overs Jamia UK: Result: Jamia UK won the Match and Man of the Match was Muzamil Dogar of Jamia UK

Match 12: Germany A VS Ireland

Germany A: 114/8 in 18 overs Ireland: 89/all out in 17.3 overs Result: Germany won by 25 runs and Man of the Match was Atta-ur-Rehman of Germany A

Match 13: Switzerland VS United Kingdom

Switzerland: 61/all out in 13.5 overs United Kingdom: 65/0 in 5.3 overs Result: United Kingdom won by 10 wickets and Man of the Match was Irfan Ahmad of United Kingdom

Match 14: Pakistan VS Omair XI

Omair XI: 151/6 in 15 overs Pakistan: 148/4 in 15 overs Result: Omair XI won by 2 runs and Man of the Match was Laeeq Mirza of Omair XI

Match 15: United Kingdom A VS U S A

United Kingdom A: 132/all out in 17.1 overs U S A: 136/2 in 15.1 overs Result: U S A won by 8 wickets and Man of the Match was Shahzad Butt of U S A

Match 16: Norway VS Netherlands

Netherlands: 120/7 in 18 overs Norway: 124/4 in 14.2 overs Result: Norway won by 6 wickets and Man of the Match was Babar of Norway

Match 17: Germany VS Belgium

Belgium: 106/all out in 17.5 overs Germany: 109/7 in 10.2 overs Result: Germany won by 3 wickets and Man of the Match was Hamid Bhatti of Germany

Match 18: Canada VS Bangladesh

Canada: 176/4 in 16 overs Bangladesh: 90/8 in 16 overs Result: Canada won by 86 runs and Man of the Match was Mahmood Musawar of Canada

Match 19: Canada VS Germany

Germany A: 72/all out in 17.2 Canada: 80/1 in 9.3 overs Result: Canada won by 9 wickets and Man of the Match was Adnan Nazir of Canada

Match 20: Bangladesh VS Ireland

Ireland: 154/8 in 20 overs Bangladesh: 40/all out in 11 overs Result: Ireland won by 114 runs and the Man of the Match was Fazal Butt

Match 21: India VS Germany

India: 53/all out in 13.4 overs Germany: 55/1 in 5.5 overs Result: Germany won by 9 wickets and Man of the Match was Tahir Butt of Germany

Match 22: Jamia UK VS Belgium

Jamia UK: 122/5 in 18 overs Belgium: 104/8 in 18 overs Result: Jamia UK won by 18 runs and Man of the Match was Muzamil Dogar

Match Summery for Sunday, 22/05/2011 1st Semi Final: United Kingdom VS Norway

United Kingdom: 167/5 in 20 Overs Norway: 97/all out in 16.3 Overs Irfan Ahmad: 41Runs Waqas Ahmad: 32 Runs Qaiser Mehmood: 37 not out B. Shahzad: 4-0-15-2 Nasir Basra: 4 – 0 – 20 – 2 Result: United Kingdom won by 70 runs and Man of the Match was Irfan Ahmad of United Kingdom

2nd Semi Final: Canada VS Germany

Germany: 126/all out in 19.4 Over Canada: 131/9 in 19.5 Overs Tariq Butt: 31 Runs Nasir Ahmad: 34 Runs Kaleem Pasha: 3-0-19-3 Rashid: 41 Runs not out Rashid: 3-0-17-3 Adnan Nazir: 3.4-0-18-3 Result: Canada won by 1 run and the Man of the Match was Rashid of Canada.

3rd Position Match: Germany VS Norway

Germany: 86/7 in 10 overs Norway: 85/6 in 10 overs Result: Germany won by 1 run and Man of the Match was Nafees Butter of Germany.

The Final United Kingdom VS Canada

United Kingdom: 77/all out in 16.5 overs Canada: 78/1 in 9.1 overs Abid Ahmad: 20 Runs Nasir Mehmood: 43 Runs not out Nasir Basra: 16 Runs not out Manzoor Ch.: 26 Runs not out Adnan Nazir: 3-0-5-3 Sikandar: 2.5-0-13-2 Result: Canada won title by 9 WICKETS and the Man of the Final Match was Nasir Mehmood of Canada.

Best Individual Performances

Best Bowler: Adnan Nazir of Canada, Overs: 15.4 Runs: 59 Wickets: 13 RPO: 3.83 RPW: 4.54

Best Batsman: Shahid Ahmad of Norway, 6 Innings N/Out 2 Runs: 174 AV. 43.5

Best Fielder: Qaiser Mehmood of United Kingdom As a Wicket Keeper he got 14 Wickets (8 stumps, 6 Catches) 54 runs in two Innings.

PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT ATTA-UL-AZIZ OF NORWAY Bowling: O: 13.5 – M: 0 – R: 128 – W: 10 Batting: 72 runs in 5 Innings