After nearly two years of lockdowns and cancelled tournaments, indoor cricket finally returned to Sheffield. With school halls closed and restrictions easing slowly, the community rebuilt from the ground up. The Mini Bash League (MBL) was born — a scaled-down, close-knit version of the Big Bash Indoor Cricket League (BBICL), played with the same heart.
Four teams. Fifty-eight players. Familiar faces reuniting after the hardest chapter. There were laughs, rust, and rivalry — and by Finals Day, a story straight from the old days: Molvi Sixers versus Hit & Run for the crown.
Back fresh from their Sheffield Cup success, the Tigers again trusted youth.
Captain Hamzah Hussain backed teenage star Awais Ishfaq and gave a debut to 13-year-old Rizwan Ishfaq — an ambidextrous bowler learning fast against the big boys. With Basharat Ali’s experience, Arman Ahmed’s power, and Zain Ghazanfar’s swing, they stayed competitive despite losing Saeed Rehman to Molvi Sixers.
After three consecutive runner-up finishes (2017–2019), the Sixers’ franchise looked finished — until Captain Muhammad Adnan returned from Bristol to rebuild.
He reunited with Zobair Khaliq, added Ali Shah, Shadab Ahmed, and Saqib Hussain, and snatched star all-rounder Saeed “Sid” Rehman from the Tigers. Hungry and retooled, they were on a mission to end the curse.
The league’s most decorated side, Hit & Run, were back for another run.
Captain Waqar Arshad kept the veteran core together — Mazar Sharif, Nasser Rasool, Muhammad Azahat — while adding new faces Shahrukh Khan and Ali Abbas. Calm, confident and classy, they once again made the final.
Led by Jawad Akhtar, the Dynamites brought speed and flair.
With Hamzah Younis opening the bowling and pace options from Shohaib Khaliq, Muneeb Khatana and Aadil Hassan, they were box office every week. Arslan Tariq and Shahid Mohammed added stability with the bat.
The Final – Redemption for the Sixers
The MBL 2021 final was familiar: Hit & Run versus Molvi Sixers.
After years of heartbreak, this time the Sixers held their nerve. Zobair Khaliq anchored the chase with 33* (26), sealing victory with a six off the final ball.
🎥 Watch the Final Chase (YouTube)
📊 Full Scorecard on CricClubs
“Some might just say it’s luck that I’ve had a good day, but honestly you just have to believe in yourself and never give up. For all the youngsters following Cricket Arena — remember, we do this because we love it. Sometimes one player can lift the whole team. Hopefully we’re keeping the next generation entertained and inspired.”
"The victory arrived late but it certainly tasted sweet"
The Mini Bash League marked a symbolic restart — the community’s return from lockdown to laughter, sport, and connection.
From a few teams in a small hall, the aim is simple: grow again. MBL becomes the bridge to full BBICL and Sheffield Cup seasons — proof that no matter the pause, the heart of community cricket in Sheffield never stops beating.
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