IPL T10 Huge Hit With Players & City Officials
By Staff
Irvine, Ca: The Irvine Pakistani Parents Association (IPPA), a non-profit organization, hosted the first ever “tape ball” cricket tournament in Irvine. Known as the Irvine Premier League T10 (IPL T10), the tournament, played over three days (Feb 11, 12 and 25th), was held at a massive parking lot operated by the Irvine Company near the Irvine Spectrum complex.
IPPA treasurer and tournament commissioner, Farhan Aziz explained, “As a partner of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, the IPPA looks for unique ways to raise funds for our schools. The IPL tournament was a wonderful opportunity not only to satisfy a growing population of tape ball cricketers, but also a perfect introduction to cricket for Irvine and Orange County residents.” The tournament included seven teams, all named after famous streets in Irvine, that drafted players through a formal drafting process earlier in the year. Imran Ashraf, one of the tournament organizers was delighted at the response the tournament received:“we have received wonderful favorable feedback from players, fans and city officials, and we hope to make this an annual occurrence. It is likely that we will have to add several more teams to the tournament next year, as there has been tremendous interest from outside the Pakistani community, from our Indian, Sri Lankan and Afghani friends.”
The tournament attracted the attention of local media outlets and also city officials. Mayor of Irvine, Sukhee Kang threw the first pitch and expressed gratitude to the IPPA, for sharing such an important piece of South Asian culture. He hoped that such tournaments would continue to grow and be a regular part of Irvine’s calendar of events. City
Council member Larry Agran, who has been instrumental in moving the Great Park project participated in the closing ceremonies. Councilman Agran also expressed interest in promoting the sport in Irvine, and perhaps even finding a home at the Great Park. LAPD’s Chief Michael Downing, who has been a wonderful friend and a source of guidance for the IPPA was also present for the opening ceremony, along with Community Outreach Program Officers, Jim Buck and Chand Syed. Chief Downing explained that he appreciates the importance of cricket to the South Asian community and certainly wants to see a similar tournament in Los Angeles.
A large contingent of spectators watched the final between the Barranca Bulls and the Alton Angels, two teams that peaked at the right moment. The final featured the highest run total of the tournament, with the Bulls slamming 160 in 10 overs, including blistering knocks from the tournament’s best batsman Asif AbbaAli and Man of the Match Shayan Abdul Ghani. The Alton Angels, who had earlier knocked out tournament favorites, Portola Patriots, were left
low on gas, even with the tournament’s most valuable player, Farhan Rafique, leading the side. The Angels fell well short, against a spirited Bulls bowling lineup, led by the joint best bowlers of the tournament, Captain Mohammed Sadiq and Asif Idrees.
The presentation ceremony was hosted by International Filmmaker, Iram Parveen Bilal, whose latest feature film,“Josh” just finished shooting in Karachi. Iram brought color to the ceremony, with her humor and poetry, which
was well received by both players, spectators and sponsors.
If the first edition is any indication, the IPL T10 second edition promises to be any even bigger and more entertaining affair. For those interested in participating in the tournament, please contact: Farhan Aziz at [email protected].
Irvine, Ca: The Irvine Pakistani Parents Association (IPPA), a non-profit organization, hosted the first ever “tape ball” cricket tournament in Irvine. Known as the Irvine Premier League T10 (IPL T10), the tournament, played over three days (Feb 11, 12 and 25th), was held at a massive parking lot operated by the Irvine Company near the Irvine Spectrum complex.
IPPA treasurer and tournament commissioner, Farhan Aziz explained, “As a partner of the Irvine Public Schools Foundation, the IPPA looks for unique ways to raise funds for our schools. The IPL tournament was a wonderful opportunity not only to satisfy a growing population of tape ball cricketers, but also a perfect introduction to cricket for Irvine and Orange County residents.” The tournament included seven teams, all named after famous streets in Irvine, that drafted players through a formal drafting process earlier in the year. Imran Ashraf, one of the tournament organizers was delighted at the response the tournament received:“we have received wonderful favorable feedback from players, fans and city officials, and we hope to make this an annual occurrence. It is likely that we will have to add several more teams to the tournament next year, as there has been tremendous interest from outside the Pakistani community, from our Indian, Sri Lankan and Afghani friends.”
The tournament attracted the attention of local media outlets and also city officials. Mayor of Irvine, Sukhee Kang threw the first pitch and expressed gratitude to the IPPA, for sharing such an important piece of South Asian culture. He hoped that such tournaments would continue to grow and be a regular part of Irvine’s calendar of events. City
Council member Larry Agran, who has been instrumental in moving the Great Park project participated in the closing ceremonies. Councilman Agran also expressed interest in promoting the sport in Irvine, and perhaps even finding a home at the Great Park. LAPD’s Chief Michael Downing, who has been a wonderful friend and a source of guidance for the IPPA was also present for the opening ceremony, along with Community Outreach Program Officers, Jim Buck and Chand Syed. Chief Downing explained that he appreciates the importance of cricket to the South Asian community and certainly wants to see a similar tournament in Los Angeles.
A large contingent of spectators watched the final between the Barranca Bulls and the Alton Angels, two teams that peaked at the right moment. The final featured the highest run total of the tournament, with the Bulls slamming 160 in 10 overs, including blistering knocks from the tournament’s best batsman Asif AbbaAli and Man of the Match Shayan Abdul Ghani. The Alton Angels, who had earlier knocked out tournament favorites, Portola Patriots, were left
low on gas, even with the tournament’s most valuable player, Farhan Rafique, leading the side. The Angels fell well short, against a spirited Bulls bowling lineup, led by the joint best bowlers of the tournament, Captain Mohammed Sadiq and Asif Idrees.
The presentation ceremony was hosted by International Filmmaker, Iram Parveen Bilal, whose latest feature film,“Josh” just finished shooting in Karachi. Iram brought color to the ceremony, with her humor and poetry, which
was well received by both players, spectators and sponsors.
If the first edition is any indication, the IPL T10 second edition promises to be any even bigger and more entertaining affair. For those interested in participating in the tournament, please contact: Farhan Aziz at [email protected].