Appreciations and Acknowledgements
A heartfelt thank you goes out to Yeats Cricket Academy for their generous sponsorship, ensuring the league was well-supported throughout. Gratitude also to Mullet Cricket for providing the coveted prizes, adding an extra layer of incentive and fun for everyone involved.
Special recognition is due to Jack Sykes, who took on the challenging role of league admin this year. Jack’s behind-the-scenes efforts—managing registrations, importing fixtures even under tricky circumstances, providing weekly reports, and orchestrating the Champions League draw—ensured the smooth running and excitement of the league from start to finish.
The biggest thanks, of course, are reserved for the 36 teams that entered and participated. Their enthusiasm created a buzz at the club, fostered new connections, and, most importantly, raised funds while keeping spirits high and the competition fierce.
Main League Highlights
The main league began as a closely contested affair, with multiple teams vying for the top spot and leadership positions changing hands frequently. By the end of May, Sam Robertson had edged to the top, while Barry, Zabi, Mark Q, and Harris were all strong performers, contributing to a tightly packed leaderboard.
June saw a dramatic shift as the leaders from the previous month—Sam, Barry, Zabi, Mark Q, and Harris—faded back. New contenders emerged: Naseer, Abdul, Jack F, Joe, and Dan Stone surged to the top, solidifying their positions as the leaders stretched out ahead of the chasing pack.
July brought its own set of challenges, as managers across the league saw a dip in scores, perhaps reflecting a broader blip in team form. Despite this, Riz, Amir, Abdul, Tyler, and Zabi stood out as the month’s top performers. It was also around this time that squads stabilised, with only minor differences setting teams apart.
The Final Stretch: A Battle to the End
As the season drew to a close, the title race became a nail-biting shootout between Zabi, Naseer, Barry, and Jack S. The lead fluctuated week by week, with tactical decisions like the use of Triple Captains and Wildcards proving crucial. Monthly honours continued to shift, with Tyler, Riz, Ronnie, Jack S, and Zabi each having outstanding months, averaging an impressive 600 points per game.
Going into the final weekend, Naseer held a narrow lead over Zabi, with Jack S in close pursuit. Jack made a bold move, deploying both his wildcard and triple captain, banking on a stellar performance from Dave W. Unfortunately, Dave delivered just three points, thwarting Jack’s late push.
Ultimately, it was Zabi’s deft strategy and last-minute brilliance that secured them the top spot—finishing 160 points clear of the nearest rival.
Final Standings: Top 5 Teams
1st place: Zabi Hakimi – 9160 points
2nd place: Naseer Mirza – 9000 points (satifsfying to finish on such a rounded number!)
3rd place: Jack S – 8801 points
4th place: Rizwan Qayyum – 8875 points
5th place: Ally Jessey – 8637 points
Champions League Final
Jack S faced the challenging task of managing both his league ambitions and the Champions League final.
Tyler mounted a strong late charge, looking to deliver an underdog victory. Despite Tyler’s best efforts, Jack’s savvy use of the wildcard paid off, enabling him to select crucial players and clinch the win.
Jack triumphed in the final, scoring 355 points to Tyler’s 276. Both players will celebrate their achievements, each receiving a prize courtesy of Mullet Cricket.
Conclusion
Thank you to everyone that has played the fantasy cricket this season. It has been filled with many ups and downs for all managers, with particular highlights to Barry’s every changing team name depending on how many points he scored! Fingers crossed for more entries in the 2026 season of Harlow CC Fantasy Cricket.
With 36 teams, countless twists, and a season of unforgettable moments, the Harlow Cricket Club Fantasy League not only raised money for a good cause but also strengthened the fabric of the club itself. Congratulations to all participants, winners, and organisers for making the season a resounding success.
Player Standings
Batsmen
Gull Hassan: 794 points
Arshad Muhammad: 684 points
Zabi Hakimi: 608 points
Bowlers
Tyler Dobson: 942
Joe Riddell: 869
Jack Fuller: 786
All-Rounders
David Waters: 1345
Soulat Ali: 1037
Chris Whitworth: 944
Wicket-Keepers
Naseer Mirza: 536
Alfie Jessey: 418
Oscar Syrett: 405