The Big Bash Indoor Cricket League 2022 brought Friday-night cricket back to life — louder, faster and more connected than ever. Supported by the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation, the league stepped up to its biggest stage yet: the English Institute of Sport (EIS).
For eight weeks the EIS echoed with energy — four hours of back-to-back matches, balcony commentary, YouTube highlights, and full-house crowds. Volunteers handled cameras, commentary, interviews and awards, proving again that this competition is powered by community.
Eight teams, 124 players, and a 34-game season later, the Pitsmoor Avengers stood tall — champions of a league that had everything: passion, production, and purpose.
Table-toppers Pitsmoor Avengers (6 wins · 1 loss) met 2021 MBL champions Firth Park Warriors, who scraped fourth on Net Run Rate.
Firth Park were bowled out for 70 in 11 overs as Jawad Akhtar (2-5) and Hamzah Younis (2-18) swung it left-arm both ways.
Adil Ibrahim steadied Pitsmoor’s chase, while leading run-scorer Saqib Hussain finished the job with composure — victory sealed with four overs to spare.
Both sides came in level on points; Burngreave blinked first. Under the pressure of a new ball and high swing, they folded for 91 inside 10 overs.
Irfan Khan guided Pagehall home with 24 not out, finishing the chase clinically and setting up a mouth-watering final against Pitsmoor.
Rested and ready, Pitsmoor Avengers batted first. After an early setback, captain Shohaib Khaliq launched the recovery, joined by Saqib Hussain who cleared the ropes twice in one over.
Late fireworks from Hamzah Younis (36* off 17) lifted the total to 130/6 — a commanding score under lights.
The response never caught fire. Jawad Akhtar struck early, and 15-year-old Rehan Khan turned the game with leg-spin magic: 3 wickets, all top-order. Pagehall were all out inside nine overs. Rehan’s fearless spell earned him Player of the Final, underlining the league’s U15 rule designed to give every young cricketer a stage.
Trophies glittered as Sohail Raz (Yorkshire Cricket Foundation) joined Muhammad Azahat for the awards ceremony.
New categories celebrated every dimension of the game — from Most Sixes to Spirit of Cricket. Volunteers received a standing ovation; commentators had even produced weekly vodcasts predicting results and analysing games — a first for the BBICL.
“A big thank you to the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation for enabling us to run this amazing league — making it accessible, providing equipment. Thank you to EIS for the venue; it’s been a really successful year. Shout to the team sponsors, the captains for their hard work, and everyone behind the scenes — commentators, volunteers and umpires.”
“I’m very happy to lead the team — we reached the final and we weren’t expecting that. Where we went wrong: after nine overs we had Pitsmoor on 79; the last three overs went really bad!”
“I’m really ecstatic. We’ve got really good players. I came in thinking I’d have selection headaches because there’s so much talent. Alhamdulillah, it’s been a very good tournament — I’m happy to hold the trophy.”
BBICL 2022 was a benchmark season:
Beyond numbers, the move to the EIS proved that Sheffield’s indoor scene can deliver elite-level organisation with grassroots heart. Plans are already underway for BBICL 2023 — bigger venue, bigger audience, same community soul.
“It’s been an excellent tournament — we’ve loved every minute, and hopefully next year will be even better.” — Nasser Rasool, Commentator
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