A seniors cricket league of their own
Asif Khan, who plays for the Manitoba Eagles in the Premier Division of the Manitoba Cricket Association and for Manitoba's newly formed seniors team, has been playing cricket in Canada since 2012 when he moved to Winnipeg from Pakistan.
'I was thinking to retire, because it was so challenging, I'm almost 50,' said Khan on playing cricket. 'And when you play with the youngsters, they are totally different.'
SUPPLIED
Asif Khan (right), holds his trophy for best wicketkeeper at the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament in his left hand and the tourney trophy in his right, alongside his Team Manitoba teammate Rauf Mohammed.
But when a member of the senior cricket league in Ontario approached clubs in various provinces to compete in the first Inter-Provincial Tournament, Khan showed interest. Sponsored by Mondetta Canada Inc. — a Winnipeg-based clothing company that is also supporting cricket field developments in Assiniboine Park — a senior team was put together to play in the tournament.
'We represent 40 nationalities and cultures at Mondetta, and we believe in supporting their pursuits, such as sports like cricket,' said Tony Lavilla, creative director at Mondetta. 'We're proud to support a growing sport like cricket that appeals and is a part of the culture of so many of our staff.'
Manitoba went on to defeat Team Ontario White in the finals by three wickets in a tournament that ran from June 23-27 in Mississauga, Ont., and Brampton, Ont., where teams from Manitoba, Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario competed.
'It was good to see that the province has participated,' said Khan. 'It was so encouraging and now that we're back in Manitoba, we are supporting, we are working hard to get the senior league started.'
The MCA currently runs a recreational cricket league on Wednesday evenings and hosts practice programs for senior players throughout the winter. But many senior players like Khan, although grouped by their cricket level, still play on teams with mixed age groups.
'There are a lot of senior players separately, playing in different clubs, but it's not as Ontario and other provinces where there is a particular senior league, where over 40, over 50, over 60, they have different leagues where different age groups can play in their own (league). The competition is on the same level, not like a mixed match,' said Khan.
MCA president Paramjit Shahi says this is soon to change, and is planning to run a full-fledged senior league next year.
'The expansion we have discussed with a lot of seniors,' said Shahi. 'You know, cricket has been played in Manitoba since 1872. So when cricket started expanding in the last five, six years, those players who are playing cricket for a long time now, basically, they are close to their retirements, over 40 or over 50 years of age. So we want to make sure they are engaged in cricket and their experience, their vision is valued.'
Enough interest has been shown that Shahi expects there will be enough players for at least four to five teams to participate in a senior league.
The MCA is exploring different options for scheduling games and finding cricket pitches, which can be complicated since pitches are hard to find as the sport's popularity continues to grow in the province.
SUPPLIED
Team Manitoba poses with the tourney trophy after winning the Ontario Masters Cricket League's Inter-Provincial Tournament last month. Manitoba Cricket Association president Paramjit Shahi says the association plans to run a full-fledged senior league in Manitoba next year.
However, the Assiniboine Park cricket field developments, where active play is expected to resume in 2026, could help.
'That's going to be a beautiful facility that will be of international competition quality,' said Lavilla. 'We believe in supporting passions, whether they're for sports or activities.'
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Playing on a senior team was a motivating experience for Khan, who was named best wicketkeeper of the Inter-Provincial Tournament.
'Oh, that was great joy to me,' said Khan, who missed the first match with a knee injury. 'I mean, I was not expecting that, but I am so happy, and that actually pushes me to do better, and hopefully with some fitness, I will do good in the regular league as well.'
Khan says the Manitoba squad did not expect to come out on top but was happy to defeat some of the strongest senior teams in Canada, hoping the group will continue playing together in future tournaments.
'The best part of our team, it was working together, and we were just supporting everyone,' said Khan.
zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca
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He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh. Every piece of reporting Josh produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
