Bradford Eagles soar into third place against Azeems at Sutton

The prospect of watching a Sunday cricket league match at a beautiful ground with the tea provided by a popular Kashmiri restaurant set things up nicely.  

Azeems are both an Indian eaterie in Keighley, as well as one of the top teams in the Premiership of the Quaid-e-Azam Sunday Cricket League.

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We arrived before the start of the game to be greeted by Mohammed Iqbal, a much-respected chef at Azeems. I was then introduced to the Azeems captain Muhammad Qadeer who would later play an extraordinary knock for the home side.  

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For as long as anyone can remember, they have hired the ground at Sutton-in-Craven Cricket Club; a very picturesque village ground whose Saturday sides play in the Craven Cricket League.  

Amid other greetings, I said hello to Katrina Todd who would keep Mrs Cricket Yorkshire and I well stocked up with Yorkshire Tea during a sunny but chilly afternoon.  

A shoutout to Fais whose property business sponsors Azeems and who was full of jokes and kept everyone entertained on the sidelines, as Azeems batted.  

While you could be forgiven for thinking it was either April or October judging by the lack of warmth (my phone app said it was around 16 degrees), it made up for it with the conversations, laughter and hospitality shown.  

Early wickets

Azeems won the toss and batted first; losing early wickets as Aftab Ur Rahim (2-28) and Muhammad Munsaf kept things tight for Bradford Eagles (who are based at Keighley Cricket Club).  

It’s a decent-sized playing area at Sutton with quirks as the boundary lines wobbles its way around the corner of a stone wall of Sutton Gate Lodge apartments and also navigates past handsome overhanging trees at the far end.  

On a surface providing ample bounce at times, Azeems had to tough it out and their fightback came through Feyaz Akram, a chatty, chain-smoking old boy (his words, not mine). Akram had injured his ankle in the previous week’s Eldwick Law Premiership Pro40 Cup Final at Keighley CC.  

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His innings of 66 here was initially cautious but built nicely as Azeems targeted a total of 200. They exceeded that thanks to a scintillating innings of 69 from their captain Qadeer who belted numerous huge sixes in a few overs.  

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It was one of those batting performances where, as a spectator but possibly a bowler too, you just knew boundaries were inevitable.

If you could watch this back on the big screen (Sutton in Craven, you need a Frogbox!), there were some absolutely massive blows including one six that rattled the solar panels of Sutton Hall and Lodge Care Home.  

“Someone in the care home has just had their TV picture knocked out!” was a quip I heard in a running commentary from the Sutton supporters enjoying the action in the VIP seats at the front.  

I have seen my fair share of matches this season and would put that particular six up there with a few planted over the houses at Thornton by Josh Hutchinson.  

Fasih Ul Hassan (4-47) deserves mention for bringing the Eagles some much-needed wickets and Ansar Mahmood (2-29) picked up the key wicket of Qadeer as well as a smart run out.  

At tea, Azeems laid on an tasty array of Kashmiri food in the clubhouse for Mrs F and I to dive into. We know the restaurant well but the heat from the more-ish crispy samosas and seek kebabs did absolute wonders on a cold day.

If you get a chance to go to Azeems in Keighley then you’ll be very well looked after. I enjoyed quizzing Iqbal about how he cooks his food. Something as seemingly simple as infusing rice with as much of the spice and flavour is a skill I’ve never particularly got to grips with.

The interval also allowed me to catch up with Naheem, the league Secretary who had let Azeems know I would be attending and also came along himself which was very kind. It’s the sort of gesture I’ve come to appreciate, if not expect, from the Quaid-e-Azam Sunday League.  

If Azeems were feeling confident as they were second in the league and hoping to keep in touch with leaders Earl Marshall (curiously a Sheffield side in a Bradford league) then Bradford Eagles hadn’t read the script.  

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The Eagles clawed and soared their way to victory by seven wickets, reaching 242 for 3 off 39.2 overs. It was an accomplished run chase, some of which we witnessed before heading off around 8pm.  

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Chaurdry Anwar Ul Haq (93), who also plays for Birkby Rose Hill in the Huddersfield League’s Championship on Saturdays, scored his highest individual total of the season.  

Eagles in charge

It was the kind of quietly efficient batting display that creeps up on a fielding side. Deft flicks, allied with fearlessness against the short ball, meant he looked untroubled.

Azeems were unable to build pressure often enough with Shahid Nadeem (2-38) and Adeel Munir (1-38) the only wicket-takers.  

Eagles captain Adele Dar (46 not out) and Mudasir Iqbal (49 not out) saw things home and their side now sit in third place after this six-point win.  

It is a major blow for newly-promoted Azeems especially after Earl Marshall (266-9) won easily against Adam (57-5) who unusually conceded the game in the 12th over.  

The top of the Quaid-e-Azam Sunday Cricket League’s Premiership table reads: Earl Marshall (47), Azeems (36), Bradford Eagles (30) and Salem Athletic (29).  

It’s Earl Marshall’s to lose now (who finished second in 2023) although the Sheffield team welcome Bradford Eagles next in a first-versus third match-up before the leaders play Azeems at Sutton on 1 September.  

So, all building up nicely.  

Thanks to everyone who made us so welcome on the day and all the best to teams in the Quaid-e-Azam Sunday Cricket League with their remaining games.

Enjoy the match photos below and you can read more articles here about the Quaid-e-Azam Sunday Cricket League.

📸 MATCH PHOTOS