Rules Tweaks That Worked

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• No LBW – fewer arguments, faster games.
• One‑hand‑off‑the‑wall catches – spectacular, skill‑building, crowd‑pleasing.
• Retire at 25 – every player bats, totals stay attainable, comebacks happen.
• Same wind‑ball all league – shine fades, spinners enter, every week feels different.

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Windball Magic

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Brand‑new windballs swung like a white Kookaburra; three weeks later it was gripping and ripping. Captains learnt to manage the life‑cycle of a single ball, adding tactical depth unseen in most indoor comps.

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Friday Night Vibes

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YMA Sports Hall—nets on the ceiling and all—buzzed every Friday night with friendly chatter and the unmistakable smack of wind‑ball on wall. A single Canon camera tried to keep up, filming in short bursts between battery swaps; those raw clips later landed on YouTube in bite‑sized parts, letting players replay their boundaries and run‑outs at home. Spectators crowded both entry‑way doors, scrambling for the few chairs and craning round teammates to catch each delivery.

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With entry set at a modest £3 per player, every spare penny left after hall hire and equipment costs went straight to a Tanzanian orphanage—quiet generosity that turned every ball bowled into meaningful support for a good cause.

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The Organisers

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Basharat Ali (better known as Bash) drew on years of business admin and club cricket to bring the outdoors indoors. The name “Big Bash...” was lifted from Australia’s fast‑paced BBL T20 competition and, by happy coincidence, echoed his own nickname. Composed yet uncompromising, he juggled hall bookings, fixtures and the occasional flare‑up, keeping everyone on the same page.

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The process proved a simple truth: articulate a clear vision, and people will run to make it reality.

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Five captains stood shoulder‑to‑shoulder with him each week:

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• Mohammad Haroon – Six Shotterz
• Saad Bashir – Greenz XI
• Adnan Mohammed – Molvi Sixers
• Waqar Arshad – Hit & Run
• Kazam Hussain – Jattaaas Six

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Their punctuality, fee‑collecting and talent‑spotting kept the league smooth and spirited.

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