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BBICL but more! The Cup arrived in 2019 as a brand-new competition — shorter, sharper, and another chance to lift silverware. Four teams went head-to-head across February and March before Finals Day brought the familiar drama: Molvi Sixers in their third straight final, only to be undone by Batsman & Robin’s calm chase led by Afroz and Saqib. The tournament also saw Majid Hussain tear through batting line-ups on the way to 14 wickets, underlining his status as the standout bowler of the Cup.

Sheffield Cup '19

Venue:

Yorkshire Muslim Academy (Sheffield)

Dates:

8 Feb – 29 Mar 2019

Structure & Format:

Windball · 12 overs · Double round-robin + Finals Day

Teams:

Batsman & Robin · Molvi Sixers · Darnall Dynamites · Hit & Run

Results:

Champions – Batsman & Robin · Runners-up – Molvi Sixers

Highlights

Batsman & Robin Dominance

Four of the top six run-scorers came from Batsman & Robin, including Afroz Farooqui (155 runs @ 31.5 avg), Jawad Saleem (102), and Jamil Ali (89). Saqib Hussain chipped in with 80 runs from half as many games. In the final, Afroz and Saqib calmly chased down Molvi Sixers’ 76/5, keeping cool under pressure and sealing the win with five balls to spare.

Majid Hussain’s Dream Run

Majid was unstoppable with the ball, snaring 14 wickets in just seven games, including a stunning 5/7. No one else came close — the next best bowlers managed only seven wickets each. His economy (4.67) was second only to teammate Jawad Saleem (3.98), showing just how much Batsman & Robin strangled opposition batting.

Molvi Sixers’ Hat-trick of Heartbreaks

Déjà vu for Captain Muhammad Adnan. After two finals lost, the Sixers once again fell at the last hurdle, despite excellent performances throughout the tournament. Their third consecutive runner-up finish underlined both their consistency and their lingering “chokers” tag.

The Sheffield Cup landed in 2019 as a fresh addition alongside BBICL — a shorter, sharper competition with four teams: Batsman & Robin, Darnall Dynamites, Hit & Run, and the ever-present Molvi Sixers. With a double round-robin format, every game mattered and Friday nights were full of energy.

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Batsman & Robin were the standout side from the start, their batting depth and Majid’s wicket-taking form setting them apart. Molvi Sixers, consistent as ever, made it through to their third consecutive final, but the curse struck again. Afroz and Saqib’s calm chase sealed the title for Batsman & Robin, leaving the Sixers heartbroken once more.

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The Cup added something new to Sheffield’s indoor scene — fresh rivalries, big performances, and another trophy to play for.

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Stand-out Players

Award

Player

Team

Numbers

Best Batsman

Afroz Farooqui

Batsman & Robin

155 runs (avg 31)

Best Bowler

Majid Hussain

Batsman & Robin

14 wickets, best 5/7

MVP

Jawad Saleem

Batsman & Robin

102 runs + 4 wickets

Full stats from Sheffield Cup 2019 →

Quotes

“They were underdogs, they gritted, worked hard and proved everyone wrong, and definitely shown how it's meant to be played. Heartbreaking for Molvi Sixers, who’ve now lost three finals in a row."

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Muhammad Azahat

—Commentator

“It’s not the trophies you win that define you, it’s how you react to losses.”

Muhammad Adnan

—Captain, Molvi Sixers

What's Next?

The Sheffield Cup confirmed BBICL’s growth beyond a one-off winter league, showing there was demand for year-round indoor cricket in Sheffield. With Sport England’s support secured, organisers set out an ambitious next phase: a bigger, better venue, in-house kit printing (using new equipment to add names and numbers), and upgraded playing and media tools to improve the experience for both players and fans.

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At the wheel is Hamzah Hussain, inspired by the vision of the league’s founders and determined to take BBICL to the next level. The goal is simple but powerful: more players, more opportunities, and stronger community bonds, all backed by sustainable funding to ensure the competition keeps growing for years to come.

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