Cricket uniting communities

SFA Community Team 2012

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Sport 4 All (S4A) together with GM Police Rochdale, organised a 20/20 Community Cricket Cohesion match on Sunday th September. The match took place at Thornham Cricket Club. The match was attended by the Divisional commander of Rochdale Police, Annette Anderson.

The GM Police team consisted of youth workers and police officers. Inspector Umer Khan who captained the team, also invited some of the youngsters who he coaches, when off duty to form part of the “Police Partnership Team.”

The S4A team consisted of young men who are involved in grassroot organisations. They were captained by Tahir Mahmood the Chairman of Rochdale Council of Mosques.

On a bright Sunday morning, S4A won the toss and elected to field. S4A took full advantage of the conditions by reducing the police team to 23-3. Young police volunteer and man of the match, Liam Grey, however, began to steady the innings putting on a fifty partnership for the four innings with PC Reid.

Saqib Khan from the youth service took over from Liam, who finally fell for 32. Khan produced an innings of a lifetime scoring 30 off 14 delivers. With further steady batting, the police team quickly reached 100 runs with 8 overs remaining. A total closer to two hundred looked on the cards.

S4A then bought on Mohammed Bukhari’s of Golden Mosque. His spin bowling had an immediate effect. In his first over he took 3 wickets. His three victims included Inspector Nadeem “Afridi” Mir, Superintendent Chris Hankinson and Mohammad Asad a police community officer. All three failed to read Bukhari’s “doorsa” delivery.

S4A looked to have seized the initiative, but the Police Partnership Team were having none of it.

In the final four overs, Mohammad Bilal, a young professional from the police partnership team scored a quick fire 22 off 15 balls.

The innings enabled the police team to finish on a very healthy 148-8 off their 20 overs.

Mohammad Moheed of Rochdale Sports Club opened the batting with Seraj Khan of Bilal Legends. The police team like S4A, made a quick start with the new ball. The superb fielding and bowling marshalled by Inspector Umer, never allowed the S4A to feel comfortable.

Abdul Quyum took on the responsibility to play the anchor innings which at times was desperately needed. Whilst Quyum eventually top scored with 39, his opposite end batsmen were struggling to get the ball away.

Mohammed Faisal and Amar innings however injected some much needed quick runs. In the final closing overs, former councillor Ibby Khan scored 10 off 5 balls. Six runs were needed off the final over. Naeem saw the S4A team home to clinch the community cup with four balls remaining.

Asif Rafiq chairman of S4A explained: “For a number of years, various grassroot organisations have been working together with the local police. It was therefore felt it was appropriate to have an event where players from these different organisations can enjoy each others company in an informal setting.”

Annette Anderson commented: “Today’s cricket match provides an ideal opportunity to continue to strengthen positive relationships between the Police and our Community. I like to thank everyone involved.”