Written by: Muhammad Suhayb
Posted on: November 7, 2024 | 
| 中文
Saud Qasmi, Wasim Akram and Azhar Qasmi
Don’t you miss those cricket matches in Sharjah, where festivities and celebrations were seamlessly woven into the game? Actors, producers and singers brought an extra thrill off the field, and during downtime, cricketers from India and Pakistan mingled with Bollywood stars. The atmosphere at Sharjah was electric, not just because of the thrilling India-Pakistan contests but also because of the off-field excitement that added to the celebration. It was a place where cricket brought people together and gave fans an unforgettable experience that combined sports, culture and celebrity.
The Indian Premier League and Pakistan Super League provide exciting cricket but have taken on a more commercial, franchise-based character. Without players from both countries facing each other, a key ingredient of the sport’s magic is missing. This restriction has affected the audiences and denied newer generations the joy of seeing these cricketing icons play shoulder-to-shoulder.
Well, the wait is over, as it’s all set to return, this time in the USA, where cricket was first played. You heard it right; Cricket’s roots in the USA go back much further than many might think. In 1844, the first-ever international match of any sport took place in New York between USA and Canada. Recently, cricket has been climbing the ladder of success as the USA and West Indies co-hosted the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, marking the USA's first time hosting of a major World Cup match. The tournament was widely regarded as a success, drawing fan enthusiasm across multiple cities. With Team USA beating Pakistan in a thrilling Super Over and earning a spot in the Super 8, cricket got the required boost in the USA. This gave Azhar Qasmi, a Pakistan-born American citizen an idea to capitalize on the success of the game, which he had grown up playing in the streets of Karachi. The younger brother of film and television actor Saud, and a very popular hard-hitting batting star from the 70s, Noor-ul-Qamar of the Super Cup, 'AZ' knew the game and the landscape of US. He, along with an NRI businessman, Arun Agarwal, came up with the idea of NCL and a tournament on the lines of PSL and IPL in the USA that materialized in 2024. AZ Qasmi as CEO and Arun Agarwal as President, are behind the league now.
The teams
Held from October 4-14, 2024, at the UTD (University of Texas at Dallas) Dallas Cricket Ground, National Cricket League (NCL) in the USA, is all set to rival baseball. In UTD, 7,000 out of the 40,000 students, belong to South Asia, and was part of NCL USA’s strategy to bring organized, competitive cricket to accessible and high-quality facilities across the United States. There were six teams: Chicago, LA, NY, Dallas, Texas and Atlanta coached by seasoned players like Shahid Afridi, Moin Khan (Pakistan), Angelo Matthews (Sri Lanka), Tamim Iqbal (Bangladesh), Sikandar Raza (Zimbabwe) and Suresh Raina (India). The National Cricket League (NCL) USA introduced an innovative format designed to create fast-paced, high-energy matches. Known as Sixty Strikes, it's a condensed format in which each team has just 60 balls to score as many runs as possible. This abbreviated structure allows for aggressive, high-scoring matches that are completed within 90 minutes, making it an accessible, action-packed version of the game for American audiences. This crossover with baseball could play a key role in introducing cricket to U.S. sports fans, building interest ahead of major events like the LA 2028 Olympics, where cricket will be featured.
Saud Qasmi with Shahid Afridi
It was an 11-day tournament where 19 matches were played. The NCL also brought together legendary cricketers like Wasim Akram, Sunil Gavaskar, Zaheer Abbas, Dilip Vengsarkar and Viv Richards, aiming to attract South Asian and global cricket fans. Haroon Lorgat, the former ICC CEO, has recently joined as the commissioner of the National Cricket League (NCL) in the United States. His role involves guiding the NCL in its mission to grow cricket in the U.S.
(L to R) Moin Khan, Saud Qasmi, Sunil Gavaskar and Wasim Akram
Besides the thrilling matches, the event featured live performances from popular South Asian artists such as Mika Singh, Javed Ali, Ali Haider and Ragga Boys, making it a memorable experience blending sports and cultural entertainment. Bollywood beauty Nora Fatehi recently attracted attention with their appearance together at the National Cricket League (NCL) final in Dallas, USA. Nora Fatehi, known for her Bollywood dance performances, made a special guest appearance at the NCL, adding a touch of glamour to the event, which thrilled fans and added to the excitement of the League’s final match.
Nora Fatehi
Qasmi emphasized that the NCL’s goal is to create a unique and inclusive environment, celebrating cricket alongside entertainment to strengthen the cultural ties within the South Asian community in the USA. This combination of sports and performance art marks a milestone in bringing cricket further into the spotlight in the United States.
‘God of Cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar, has recently become involved with the National Cricket League (NCL) in the United States, joining the League's ownership group in October 2024. His participation marks a significant milestone as he aims to help promote cricket in the U.S. and inspire new fans. With Tendulkar’s expressed excitement about contributing to the League's vision to grow cricket’s presence and foster local talent across the U.S.
Saud Qasmi with Sachin Tendulkar
While NCL USA shows promising growth and innovation in the U.S., it still has a long way to go in terms of viewership, financial strength and global recognition to rival the IPL and PSL. The way it has been planned; it seems it will soon rival them.
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