Club News

Adeel Siddiqi and Imran Raja shine on a Victoria Day weekends double header to score magnificent centuries as Halton Stars kick off the 2009 season in flying colors.

Burlington, Ontario. May 20, 2009

In the season opener, the Halton Stars won and the toss and elected to bat first, Captain Ali Shah opened the inning with young and upcoming star Adeel Siddiqi. Right from the first over it was evident that Adeel is concentrating on a big inning., While Ali Shah was hammering the ball all over the field, Adeel patiently playing strokes and making single and doubles and before we know the partnership score quick 126 runs before Ali Shah got caught at long on, he scored fine 76 with the help of 1 sixe and 6 fours.

Bilal Khan joined Adeel but before he settle down, Bilal was caught behind for only 4 runs adding only 6 runs to the total. New comer Mairaj Hoda got run out quick and fall two quick wickets brought Saleem Zafar to the crease to provide much needed support to Adeel, while Saleem Zafar holding on one end, partnership added 26 runs. Mubasher Waheed join Adeel who continue to frustrate the Westies CC bowlers, smashing spectacular fours and a six to his 1^st century of the season, hitting 1 sixes and 4 fours in his magnificent inning of 106.

Mubasher Waheed took the charge and start playing more aggressive scoring the 60 runs off 30 balls with the help off 1 six and 5 fours. Halton Stars closed off the inning with 265 for 6 wickets.

Westies CC open the inning, charge Sher khan wasted no time in taking the wicket as he bowled opener on his 3^rd delivery and set the tone for the game. Westies batting lineup was no match for fine bowling spell of Sher khan (1/18), Bilal Khan (2/40), Spin magician Ghufran Ali (3/16), Haroon Muhammad (2/9) and  Farid Siddiqui (1/11). Westies were all out for 103 runs.

In the 2^nd game, Halton Stars-A won the toss and choose to bat first on the cold day, Ali Shah and Adeel Siddiqui opened the inning but Halton Stars could over the cold weather as top batting order collapsed as Ali Shah, Adeel Siddiqui, Naveed Sehrai and Bilal Khan were back to pavilion with only 20 runs on the board.  

Finally Imran Kazmi and Imran Raja stepped up their game and patiently started to settle down at the crease and making single and doubles and were able to sustain the excellent bowling spell of the Lucas CC. Suddenly Imran Raja decided to go into high gear and showed his real talent and single handedly manage to destroyed the aggressive bowling attack of Lucas CC by hitting fours and sixes. This caught Lucas CC by surprise. Imran Kazmi on the other hand continue to provide much needed support and quietly scoring  single and doubles and mange to get the score to 103 when Imran Kazmi was caught for 23 runs.

This did not stop Imran Raja from starting the Victoria Day Firework in Day time. He started to hit long sixes and fine boundaries and helped Halton stars reach respectable total of 198. Imran Raja firework was worth 106 runs with the help of 8 sixes and 3 fours.

Halton Stars determined attacking bowlers Naveed and Sher Khan aggressively attack the Lucas opening batting order and received complete team effort from the highly motivated team managed to get the Lucas on the rope as HSCC were able to capture 3 wicket while only 66 runs on the board and disciplined bowling attack manage to get Lucas CC 7 wicket for 168. However, HSCC could not win the nail bitter as Lucas manage to make 4 runs off the last over the win the game. It was a total team effort by the Halton Stars but was not enough.

Adeel Siddiqi and Imran Raja were the Players of the Week.

Halton Stars Cricket Club Celebrate Championship season and Players achievements at the Club's annual awards banquet.

Bilal Khan, who  put together some outstanding All Rounding  performances during 2008 season wins the regular season MVP awards

Kashif Nisar, who single handed bowled out the United Hunters in the final by capturing the 6 wickets win Play-off MVP award.

Burlington/Oakville, Ontario:

The first Halton Stars Cricket Club Awards Presentation was Held at the Appleby Ice Rink in Burlington on November 8, 2008. The event was well attended by the club members, Etobicoke District Cricket League Executives, friends and family. 

Halton Stars stand-up comedian Sher Khan and Musician Farid Siddiqui showed their hidden talents and kept the audience laughing and enjoying the music. Kaleem Arif, President of Halton Stars Cricket Club welcomed everyone and pointed out how exciting it is to get to this point to recognize the great achievements of the players and giving out the awards. Kaleem Arif also thanks President Praim Persaud, VP, Donald Denhart, Gokul Kamat and Azwim Khan for their hard work and extra effort to run the EDCL league.

The EDCL President Praim Persaud congratulated the Halton Stars Cricket Club for winning the Division II championship and spoke highly of Club structure, management and players. Div II Captain Saleem Zafar highlighted the purpose of the awards and congratulated the players for achieving their goal “winning the championship.

Ali Shah, Chairman of the awards selection committee along with other committee members Imran Kazmi and Khalid Gilani conducted the award ceremony and the league executives Praim Persaud, Don Donald Denhart and Gokul Kamat presented the awards.

Following are the 2008 Award winners: