Scintilla receive cup after NCL triumph

Emdad Rahman

Scintilla Cricket Club celebrated a hugely successful season as Ayaz Karim’s charges were awarded the National Cricket League Division 2 trophy. The National Cricket League held its fifth awards at a glittering ceremony at the Oasis Banqueting suite in Thames Road, Barking.  Guests in attendance included London Assembly member Unmesh Desai, Councillor Mukesh Patel, Arfan Amran, veteran cricket star Shiraz Kothia, Mayor of Walthamstow Peter Harrington and London Tigers CEO Mesba Ahmed.

The evening was hosted by NCL League Secretary and co-founder Sajid Patel. He said: “We are now in our fifth year. We started with a mere handful and our family now numbers thousands, with numerous projects designed to make cricket accessible for absolutely everyone. It doesn’t matter if you’re 6 or 65 years old, we will be delighted to work with you.” He added, “Yet, this would not be in the least bit possible without the presence of you all. You are the ones who are the driving force behind the success of the NCL. Congratulations to everyone here tonight.”

Nahed Patel, NCL Chair and co-founder added: “It’s been a rollercoaster ride of a journey with so many highlights. This has been another fantastic season for the NCL. We are dedicated to providing an inclusive platform for everyone to come together and benefit from this great sport of ours. My thanks are reserved for the teams, my colleagues and not least our sponsors.”

There was a moment of remembrance for local cricket legend and match official Lewis Prescod who sadly passed away this year. A posthumous award was presented by the League, and this will be passed on to the family of Mr Prescod.

Scintilla captain Ayaz Karim concluded: “Scintilla are a community based club and our ethos ties in soundly with the aims of the NCL – a governing body which is wholly dedicated to serving our communities through cricket. I’m really proud of our achievements. We are a team which plays with hearts on sleeves and it has been an honour leading the players through yet another triumphant campaign.”

Team Winners

West Essex CC:
Premiership & NCL Pro 40 cup

Chak De CC:
Championship

Gagan CC:
Division 1

Scintilla CC:
Division 2

Sundarban CC:
Division 3

London Zalmi CC:
Rashid Aziz Cancer Research champions

Dark Horse CC:
T-20 Storm Cup (Sunday)

NYCC:
T-20 Storm Competition (Saturday)

National Cricket League (NCL) Management:
Chair – Nahed Patel
League Secretary – Sajid Patel
Umpires Representative – Juned Patel
Result Secretary – Ali Raja
Registration Officer – Ashfaq Alam
Head of Disputes – Aiyub Master
Development Officer – Afzal Sutariya

•The National Cricket League aims to spread the benefits of cricket as a sport and to empower and encourage all generations and passionate aficionados to take up cricket – be it a pastime, part of a fitness programme, coaching, supporting or joining a league team. For more information, go to:
www.nationalcricketleague.co.uk
www.facebook.com/nationalcricketleague
www.twitter.com/nclcricketleagu

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