"Good coaches teach respect for the opposition, love of competition, the value of trying your best, and how to win and lose graciously"

News - Reports - Events                2025

Zuoz Tournament May 24/25 2025 

ZCCC U15 team at Zuoz

Despite a less than promising weather forecast, players met to compete in several age groups on three cricket pitches at 1800m in the Swiss Alps. Luckily, excellent weather prevailed, and with the picturesque backdrop good and competitive cricket all around was played over two days. ZCCC U15’s were runners up in their competition and thoroughly enjoyed their memorable team dinner.

Many thanks to the Lyceum Alpinum for their wonderful hospitality.

 

ZCCC U13 team at Zuoz

1st XI T20 cruise to win over Nomads Embrach (11th May)

Nomads Embrach, batting first, lost wickets steadily, and with only one 47-run partnership, were not able to score freely against a tight performance by ZCCC in the field and with the ball. Sahil (4-26-4) bowled tough lines and lengths, and also took 2 catches in the deep. Zak was superbly economical (4-15-1), and took a catch, while Faisal grabbed another 2 wickets, including a sharp caught&bowled (3-23-2). A wicket and two catches went to Afsar. Wali in the field was a delight and his 2-ball over immediately produced the final wicket. But it was perhaps the first wicket that stood out most, with a 3rd ball direct hit by Noorkhan fielding on the circle at mid-off. Nomads finished on 149-10.

After five overs, ZCCC were 30-2. Sahil (33) and Baljit (16) then took the score to 49 before both departed in quick succession. With Shankar (30) and Zak  (55) at the crease, and seemingly finding the boundary at will, the heads of the opposition dropped and it rained 4s and 6s. On 151 in 15.3 overs both batsmen remained unbeaten. Another fine win.

2nd XI T20 narrowly lose to Rorschach CC (10th May)

Electing to bowl first, ZCCC restricted Rorshach to 145-9, but often missed chances to restrict the opposition even more by holding on to easy opportunities, unexpectedly bowling extras, and misfielding. However, Abdullah (4-16-2) was excellent, as was Bashir (4-17-2), while Parwiz dramatically swept up the tailenders (1-3-3). The spinners, Arkan and Hezbullah continue to provide pressure with their economy.

The batting response got off to a jittery start, but Nic (25), Dirushaan (41) and Fayez (35) provided some stability. None of the other batsmen were able to take advantage, and 5 wickets were lost for 5 runs, meaning we fell 3 runs short.

ZCCC-2 win their third 40-over match by 7 wickets against St.Gallen (3rd May)

  • The team remained unchanged for their third 40-over match
  • Dirushaan's off-spin kept the batsmen to singles
  • His 7 overs went for just 24 runs
  • His two wickets removed one of the openers and then left the opposition on 37-4 in the 8th over
  • Bashir was unlucky not to take an early wicket
  • The batsmen took risks and the pressure of spin began early to produce wickets
  • Arkan was soon causing problems with his leg spin
  • A catch went up and the second opener had to leave
  • Jubilations all round!
  • The third wicket was quick to follow
  • Caught by Abdullah at long on
  • The first of three catches by Abdullah. His over produced a wicket in his third delivery to finish the match
  • So many dot balls with batsmen unable to connect
  • Arkan wove his magic
  • Wickets tumbled and suddenly St.Gallen were 53-6 in the 13th over
  • Another catch for Abdullah!
  • Brought on in the 7th over, Arkan returned figures of 8-1-42-5
  • Dirushaan takes his second wicket
  • Arkan excelled once again. In three matches he has taken 13 wickets!
  • Fayez takes a catch off Arkan. He did a great job with the bat, steadying the batting with Gokul
  • Sai spend a quiet time in the field but did well with the bat, putting together almost 40 runs with Gokul (53*)
  • Another excellent delivery from Dirushaan
  • Arkan has another '5 for'! He is once again Player of the Match
  • Tasal takes a catch
  • One of the many fans!
  • Hezbullah was introduced to finish the job
  • His four overs went for just 12 runs
  • Hezbullah's wicket removed the top scorer in the 22nd over
  • Zurich Crickets knew the end was close
  • Hezbullah kept attacking the fifth and sixth stumps
  • Another close call for the batsman

ZCCC-2 win comfortably vs Solothurn CC by 57 runs (27th April)

Batting first, ZCCC posted 195. A valuable partnership with Gokul (34) and Nawroz (22) got the team off to a steady start. Dirushaan, Abdullah and Bashir helped support Nic (48) but boundaries were scarce. When all were out in the 40th over, the team could be pleased they had batted out the overs but disappointed they had not put together another 30-40 runs.

In the 6th and 7th overs of the reply the openers fell to Bashir and Abdullah. Solothurn never recovered from this breakthrough. Runs dried up and wickets fell regularly, in particular to the spinner Arkan, Player of the Match. His ‘five for’ was spectacular and included a double wicket maiden (8-1-31-5). He was brilliantly supported by Abdullah (8-1-16-2) and Hezbullah (5.3-0-18-2). A superb catch by Sai set the tone in the field. Sai and Gokul took two each, with Dirushaan, Abdullah and Fayez all providing safe hands with one apiece.

Congratulations on the team’s second win!

ZCCC U17 1st XI vs 2nd XI (21st April)

Avneet (c) and Parwez (wk) put on a fast 56 in the first 5 overs before wickets began to fall. But the runs still flowed, ensuring that 152 all out in the 24th over would probably be a tough target. Pick of the bowlers were Seyishan (2 wickets) and Nasir (3 wickets). 

In reply, the 2nd XI lost two quick wickets to quicks Furqan and George. The 1st XI bowlers settled into their stride and runs were increasingly difficult to find. Wickets then tumbled to the spinners Yasin and the exceptional Munawar, who dismissed 4 batsmen (2.1-1-6-4). The 2nd XI succumbed in the 13th over with 75 on the board. The 1st XI won by 77 runs.

U19 2nd XI lose hard fought struggle (21st April)

Opening bowlers Haron and Faisal H got their team off to an excellent start with Nomads on 27-2 in the 5th over. However, the 3rd and 4th wicket partnerships put together 100 runs, and ZCCC were struggling. Another quick wicket by Faisal, though, led to a collapse, with 6 wickets falling for just 40 runs – 169-10. Haron with 4 wickets, Faisal 2, and Zubair 3 did most of the damage, ably assisted by the economical Amjid.

The ZCCC chase began promisingly, and despite losing wickets, at 73-4 after 13 overs, there was all to play for. However, the run rate steadily mounted, new batsmen came and went, with nobody able to find the boundary. The 2nd XI finished on 126-10 in the 27th over, notwithstanding having been gifted 52 extras.

  • The sun struggled but there was good support for the team.
  • The Embrach ground has been greatly improved by extending the far boundary.
  • The Easter period saw 6 matches played at Embrach by ZCCC teams.

U19 1st XI dominate Nomads CC (20th April)

Electing to bat first, ZC U19 1st XI promptly lost two wickets in as many overs. Shankar and Abid then built rapidly, cashing in on wayward balls, picking up copious extras and rotating well, they had put on 108 in the 13th over before Shankar (33) was caught. Abid (72) departed in the 16th over, leaving Wali (34) and Fayez (52*) to continue in the same vein. ZC were 195-5 in the 24th over and finished on 246-8.

Nomads struggled to prevent wickets from falling all too fast, and with the exception of Aqib (80), nobody stepped up to provide the necessary support. After 10 overs Nomads were 51-6. A last wicket stand of 55, with Aqib constantly managing to maintain strike, brought the total to 136.

Bahir’s two wickets in the first over had set the tone. Together with spinners Arkan (2 wickets) and Hezbullah (2), pacer Salman (2) aided by Sahil (1) and Parwez (1), all played their part, while catches were held, and the fielding tight. An excellent first outing for the team!

Zurich Crickets CC 2nd XI opens the season with a win vs Rorschach CC (19 April)

The 2nd XI kicked off their season with a strong performance to seal a 51-run victory in a low-scoring encounter! Recovering from early setbacks the team posted 131 in 35.3 overs, with a whopping 39 extras playing a key role in the total. The lower-order, with Furqan and Bashir, displaying maturity, resiliance and wonderful discipline, added almost 50 runs.

In reply, Rorschach, after losing their first wicket in the 8th over, collapsed under the pressure of the three spinners, and were bundled out for just 80 runs in 24.5 overs. Hezbullah returned superb figures of 7-2-9-3, Arkan's 7.5-0-29-3 was excellent, while MVP Dirushaan's impact with the ball was outstanding: 8-1-22-4. Congratulations on a great start!

Deutweg with a new surface in 2025 (February/March)

Zurich Crickets Academy has been very fortunate to be able to renew the surface of the Deutweg cricket pitch. This is thanks to the Asuera Stiftung who has generously financed this facelift.   

On 22nd March, six weeks after work began, the first match took place on the new wicket and everyone enjoyed the huge improvement to this important facility for Zurich Crickets. This will enable young players to enjoy the sport they love in safe surroundings and on a good quality pitch for a number of years. 

  • The old surface, after removal of the old carpet matting and shockpad underlay, was found to have deteriorated.
  • Cracks had appeared and the edges were crumbling.
  • A steel band was installed around the concrete slab for protection.
  • Afterwards a resilient quarz-sand mixture was poured onto the concrete.
  • This also added height, raising the pitch to the level of the surrounding turf.
  • The new shockpad and cricket matting was laid and secured.
  • After marking the creases, the ground was ready for play on March 22nd.

Champions! Zurich Crickets U19s fought hard to win their CSPL Final against Geneva CC by 20 runs! (5th October)

  • Put into bat after losing the toss, runs were difficult to come by. Wali (19) and Saifullrahman (16) put together 39 valuable runs.
  • Aqib top-scored with 23, with Firdaws contributing another 15. Afsar added another 20 to give us 121 runs.
  • The key was going to be our bowling and work in the field.
  • Wickets fell at regular intervals and at 63-5 confidence continued to grow. Saifullrahman's superb boundary catch off Faisal was a key moment.
  • One of the rare boundaries leaked to Geneva CC.
  • Geneva looked for the boundaries but all too often balls landed safely in keeper Aqib's gloves.
  • Farhad's overs gave us the perfect start, returning 6-2-20-1. He piled on the pressure with Firdaws' 6-1-20-0.
  • Afsar bowled an excellent spell of 6-0-23-3. He also took 2 catches.
  • Hezbullah continued his fine form by producing figures of 5-2-16-2, one brilliant run-out and a stunning diving catch!
  • The final four wickets fell for just 6 runs. It was Bashir's one over that finished the match. He took two wickets for just 4 runs to leave Geneva CC on 101 all out.
  • ZCCC U19s win the CSPL Final by beating Geneva CC by 20 runs.
  • Player of the Match was Afsar for his 3 wickets, 2 catches, and 20 runs.
  • ZCCC's winning team with the umpires.

Zurich Crickets U17s and U19s in the CSPL Finals (29th September)

Both the U17s and U19s will contest the finals of the CSPL on 5th October. The U17s won their semi-final vs ZC Academy by 7 wickets, while the U19s beat Basel Dragons CC by 6 wickets, having bowled the opposition out for 71 runs. Farhad's 5 wickets for just 16 runs were outstanding, and he was ably supported by Firdaws' two wickets for 20 off six overs, Subair and his two for 11. The captain, Sahil finished the innings with his wicket in his first over. ZCCC chased down the total in just 10.2 overs.

The U17 final vs BDJCC will take place at Bachgraben, while the U19 final vs Geneva CC will be played at Embrach.

Congratulations to both teams!