SALT LAKE CITY — The 2015 season of Intermountain Cricket League started with three new clubs — American Fork Panthers, the Gladiators and Utah State Falcons in the league, and the season will end with two clubs — the Salt Lake Sabrecats and Vincent Hawks — battling it out for championship on Sunday.
These new teams ended up playing really competitive cricket, and they gave a real tough time to the longer-tenured member clubs. The highlight of the year went to the Utah State Falcons who took everyone by surprise. As a first-year team, they easily earned their spot in the semifinals.
After five months of hard-fought and intense round-robin matches, six teams funneled their way into the playoffs. As expected, the playoffs turned out to be the seesaw and teeter-totter competition. After the completion of the quarterfinals, four teams muscled their ways into the semifinals. The semifinals turned out to be the battle of Goliaths. Both of the semifinal matches had nail-biting intensity and were packed with full of action. Either game could’ve gone in any direction.
Longtime captain of the Sabrecats — a team that has its roots in the 1980s — Nasir Khan said the Intermountain Cricket League is heading in the right direction.
"This year nine teams participated in the league," Khan said. "We’ve reached yet another milestone by adding two new grounds."
The league now has four grounds, after adding Art Dye Park in American Fork, the home ground of the American Fork Panthers, and Orem Park, the home ground of Utah Lions.
"The league could not have incorporated these fields without the hard work of American Fork Panthers and Utah Lions," Khan said. "I’m very thankful to all of the volunteers, and the board members who volunteered their times and efforts to organized such a gala event.
"We are looking forward to adding two new grounds next year, to be able to accommodate the growth and planning on adding Astroturf pitches (playing surfaces) at the Art Dye Park and the Southridge Park in Taylorsville, the home ground of Utah State Beehives Cricket Club. We are hoping to add at least one more team next year."
Khan said the league is looking to add a women's division in the coming years. He asks those interested to email him at nasirjkhan@msn.com or call him at 801-913-1786.
The championship match is scheduled for Sunday, Sept. 13, at 11th Avenue Park, 581 Terrace Hills Dr., in Salt Lake City, starting at 10:30 a.m.
"We are asking the community to come and cheer your favorite team in the championship match," Khan said. "One thing for sure, there will be some good quality cricket on display."