First ever Michigan Bengals T20 Cricket Tournament is scheduled to take place on April 28, 2018 at Troy Civic Center, Michigan.
It is highlighted by six teams and close to hundred T20 cricketers representing Wayne State University, Saginaw and various areas in the Greater Detroit Area.
This inaugural tournament is expected to be marked with amazing plays, exceptional teamwork and a demonstration of the collective skills of the Bangladeshi community in the beautiful game of Cricket.
At its core, Cricket is a team sport requiring a great deal of coordination from a group of players. Each member of the team brings a specific skill set; whether it’s bowling, batting, and fielding.
By working together and collectively following a game plan, a team’s ultimate objective is to score more run than that of their opponent. Similarly, behind this tournament lies a group of dedicated individuals working together to achieve a common goal.
Led by the Executive Team of Saif Siddique, Anupom Mondal, Salahuddin Aziz, Mir Rossi, Kawshik Ahmed, and the captains of all six teams, vision has always been to provide Bangladeshis with an opportunity to come together as a community through the game of Cricket.
It was recognized very early that, a management team is necessary to make a true mark and provide others with truly positive experience. Fortunately, there were motivated and passionate individuals available who were bonded over the love for the game of Cricket and they had all the skills and resources available to effectively organize a tournament.
After finishing his PhD in University of California, Jaffrey Al Kadry moved to Michigan with his family in 2012 and has since been an avid sports enthusiast and has relentlessly participated in tournaments and leagues across the GDA. Currently working in General Motors, Jaffrey is also the vice captain of Michigan Bengal Warriors.
"We have all moved our summer activities and family priorities around this cricket tournament. This is a huge commitment and excitement among all the Bangladeshis living in southeast Michigan. Every game we will play will be like a huge family gathering and what is cricket without a gallery of spectators", he said.
Maruf Kutub, the youngest captain of the tournament leading a team of enthusiastic cricket lovers from Wayne State University is someone whose passion for the game is unparalleled. Currently working at one of the leading automotive industries it has never been an issue for him to balance work and sports. His team the Wayne State Tigers are full of current students and alumni who shares the same love for the sport. Michigan Bengal’s cup will be the first tournament that this young team will take part and are expected to not go down without a fight.
From New Jersey, Rossi believes that sports can be an exceptional method to making new friends. He played at various skill levels, escaping the hustle and bustle of the real and perhaps the monotonous everyday life. “I’ve now turned my attention to bringing the game of Cricket to others in hopes that it has a positive impact just like it had on me” - Rossi.
Mohammad Salahuddin Aziz – “I’ve participated in past iterations of the tournament as a player and enjoyed both success and defeat alike. While hoisting the trophy will be etched in my mind memory for a very long time, it is the friendships that I’ve been able to develop and maintain through the Michigan Bengals Cup Cricket tournaments that really stands out. Before taking part in MB Cup Cricket tournaments, I knew of a handful of fellow Bangladeshis and none of them played Cricket. I now have a network of more than 200+ individuals who share the same passion as I do”.
Rahat Khan – “Perhaps even bigger than what know Bangladeshis who’ve had the same experiences as me as a Bangladeshi living in Michigan, USA. I, like so many others were positively impacted by MB Cup, now have access to resources, networks and support from Bangladeshis across the USA. It brings me boundless joy and excitement to see our community flourish through the various initiatives led by Michigan Bengals. I can only imagine how beneficial this will be for future generations”.
Amin Sharfuzzaman (Pulak) – “Whether you know someone wanting to play in the tournament, a casual fan or want to just meet fellow Bangladeshis, I would encourage you to come and support your community and this initiative. I have been playing cricket in greater Detroit area since 2013 and made great friendships and connections. I can guarantee you that, you’ll meet some amazing people and catch a few jaw-dropping moments from our amazing teams and players”.