Reviving the Glory of Anjuman-I-Islam Cricket: A Historic Victory in the Harris Shield 2024-25

Anjuman-I-Islam, a renowned institution known for its excellence in education and sports, is making a grand comeback in school cricket under the visionary leadership of its President, Padma Shri Dr. Zahir Kazi. With a dedicated focus on reviving the cricketing legacy, Dr. Kazi has initiated strategic changes over the last two years, bringing in experienced professionals and fostering a culture of excellence.

As part of this revival, former Indian Test cricketer Gulam Parkar has been appointed as the Head Coach, alongside Abid  Khan, an ex-Anjuman cricketer, and Vaheed Shaikh, an ex-serviceman and Principle Rizwana satare Ma’am This team, with their combined expertise and disciplined approach, has laid the groundwork for a promising future in Anjuman school cricket. Their efforts, supported by the Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA), have already started bearing fruit, with Anjuman reaching new heights in the Harris Shield 2024-25.

A Dominant Victory in the Harris Shield 2024-25

The recent Harris Shield match between Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English High School and Matunga Premier, Matunga, held at the Karnataka Sporting Association on December 2-3, 2024, showcased Anjuman’s resurgence. Anjuman claimed a resounding victory by an innings and 103 runs, with standout performances from their players.

Matunga Premier’s Struggles with the Bat

Winning the toss, Matunga Premier elected to bat first but struggled against Anjuman’s disciplined bowling attack. They were bowled out for 117 runs in 40.4 overs, with Keerat Singh top-scoring with 38 runs off 66 balls.

The star of the show was Abdurrahman Khan, who delivered a match-defining spell, taking 6 wickets for 33 runs. His performance set the tone for Anjuman’s dominance.

Anjuman’s Batting Brilliance

In reply, Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English High School posted a massive total of 346/9 declared in 75.3 overs. Key contributors included:

• Krrish Upadhyay, who played a sensational unbeaten knock of 100 off 128 balls, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes.
• Afzal Shaikh with a solid 50 off 77 balls, including 8 boundaries.
• Arhaan Patel (58 off 68) and Prabhat Pandey (33 off 62) also made valuable contributions.

Despite the efforts of Matunga’s bowlers, especially Animesh Ghorpade (4/106) and Aaryan Kumar (3/59), Anjuman’s batting lineup proved too strong.

Matunga Premier’s Second Innings Collapse

In their second innings, Matunga Premier managed only 126 runs in 49.4 overs, falling short once again. Abdurrahman Khan was unstoppable, taking 5 wickets for 45 runs, completing a match haul of 11 wickets. He was supported by Yuvan Sharma, who claimed 3 wickets for 35 runs.

Leadership and Vision

This remarkable performance is a testament to the leadership of Dr. Zahir Kazi, the coaching of Gulam Parkar, and the efforts of the management team comprising Abid  Khan and Vaheed Shaikh and Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English High School Coach Kadir patel. The support of the MCA, combined with the team’s dedication and hard work, has restored Anjuman cricket to its former glory.

Recognition and Future Goals

Abdurrahman Khan was named Man of the Match for his outstanding 11-wicket haul. This victory, along with Anjuman reaching the Harris Shield semi-finals for the first time in many years, is a significant milestone in their journey to reclaim their place at the top of Mumbai school cricket.

With strong leadership, expert coaching, and talented players, the future of Anjuman-I-Islam cricket looks brighter than ever. Congratulations to the entire team on this incredible achievement.

Harris Shield semifinal match Anjuman-I-Islam Allana English High School against Al Barakaat MM English Kurla School at. Sharad Pawar Academy BKC