Norwegian cricket team
Encyclopedia
The Norwegian cricket team is the national cricket
team of Norway
. Although the team is by name Norwegian, the players all currently descend from the countries of the Indian subcontinent
, i.e. Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka. 90% of players domestically are of Asian descent, although most are Norwegian citizens and nationals. http://www.norwaycricket.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=44&PHPSESSID=22b6f6f2775726932d434380e6eb01c6
In a country of 4.5 million, Norwegian Cricket has about 3000-4000 members.
Norway became a member of the International Cricket Council
in 2000 http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Countries/74.html, and played their first international tournament that year, the European Representative Championships in Austria
. They won the tournament without losing a game, but did not play again until 2003 when they took part in the ECC Trophy for the first time. They won this tournament too, again without losing a game. This qualified them for Division Two of the European Championship
in 2004. They finished fourth in the six team tournament, gaining wins against Gibraltar
and Israel
.
In 2005 they won the European Affiliates Championship, the equivalent of the ECC Trophy. They once again won the tournament without losing a game, and again qualified for Division Two of the European Championship in 2006. They won the tournament, beating debutants Jersey
in the final after losing to them in the group stage. This gave Norway a place in Division One for the first time in 2008 and earned them a place in Division Five
of the World Cricket League
.
In May 2008, Norway travelled to Jersey
to take part in the Division Five tournament. Although Norway beat Vanuatu in Group A, it was their only group stage win and with four loses they failed to make the semi-finals. Norway finished ninth overall after defeating the Bahamas and then Japan in positional playoff matches. With only the top two from this tournament qualifying for Division Four in Tanzania later in the year, Norway missed out on the chance to take their 2011 World Cup
dream any further.
In July 2008, Norway met the top nations of European cricket when they participated in the Division One of the European Championship. The Norwegians finish sixth overall in the six team tournament, losing four of their matches convincingly to; Denmark
, Ireland
, the Netherlands
and Scotland
whilst their match against Italy
was abandoned due to rain.
In August 2009, Norway travelled to Singapore
to compete in Division Six
of the World Cricket League
. Norway only won only one of five group matches and finished sixth overall after losing a positional playoff to Botswana. As a result, Norway were relegated to Division Seven.
In May 2011, Norway travelled to Botswana
for Division Seven
of the World Cricket League
and their relatively poor performances at ICC events continued as they finished fifth overall. Although they did beat Japan in a group match and then a positional playoff. Fifth place saw Norway relegated to Division Eight
of the World Cricket League.
European Championship
World Cricket League
of the World Cricket League, following their relegation from Division Seven
.
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
team of Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Although the team is by name Norwegian, the players all currently descend from the countries of the Indian subcontinent
Indian subcontinent
The Indian subcontinent, also Indian Subcontinent, Indo-Pak Subcontinent or South Asian Subcontinent is a region of the Asian continent on the Indian tectonic plate from the Hindu Kush or Hindu Koh, Himalayas and including the Kuen Lun and Karakoram ranges, forming a land mass which extends...
, i.e. Pakistan, India or Sri Lanka. 90% of players domestically are of Asian descent, although most are Norwegian citizens and nationals. http://www.norwaycricket.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=44&PHPSESSID=22b6f6f2775726932d434380e6eb01c6
In a country of 4.5 million, Norwegian Cricket has about 3000-4000 members.
History
Cricket was first organised in the 1960s by a few Asian immigrants and has grown to the current state of 24 clubs playing in three divisions.Norway became a member of the International Cricket Council
International Cricket Council
The International Cricket Council is the international governing body of cricket. It was founded as the Imperial Cricket Conference in 1909 by representatives from England, Australia and South Africa, renamed the International Cricket Conference in 1965, and took up its current name in 1989.The...
in 2000 http://www.cricketarchive.co.uk/Archive/Countries/74.html, and played their first international tournament that year, the European Representative Championships in Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
. They won the tournament without losing a game, but did not play again until 2003 when they took part in the ECC Trophy for the first time. They won this tournament too, again without losing a game. This qualified them for Division Two of the European Championship
European Cricket Championship
The European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country,...
in 2004. They finished fourth in the six team tournament, gaining wins against Gibraltar
Gibraltar cricket team
The Gibraltar national cricket team is the team that represents the British overseas territory of Gibraltar in international cricket. They have been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1969. They are currently ranked sixth amongst European non-Test teams.-Early...
and Israel
Israeli cricket team
The Israel national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Israel in international cricket matches. Despite being geographically part of the Middle East, they are members of the European Cricket Council....
.
In 2005 they won the European Affiliates Championship, the equivalent of the ECC Trophy. They once again won the tournament without losing a game, and again qualified for Division Two of the European Championship in 2006. They won the tournament, beating debutants Jersey
Jersey cricket team
The Jersey cricket team is the team that represents the Crown dependency of Jersey in international cricket matches. They became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council in 2005, and an associate member in 2007....
in the final after losing to them in the group stage. This gave Norway a place in Division One for the first time in 2008 and earned them a place in Division Five
2008 ICC World Cricket League Division Five
The 2008 ICC World Cricket League Division Five is a cricket tournament that took place between 23 and 31 May 2008 in Jersey. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.-Teams:...
of the World Cricket League
World Cricket League
The ICC World Cricket League is a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council. All associate and affiliate members of the ICC are eligible to compete in the league system, which features a promotion...
.
In May 2008, Norway travelled to Jersey
Jersey
Jersey, officially the Bailiwick of Jersey is a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France. As well as the island of Jersey itself, the bailiwick includes two groups of small islands that are no longer permanently inhabited, the Minquiers and Écréhous, and the Pierres de Lecq and...
to take part in the Division Five tournament. Although Norway beat Vanuatu in Group A, it was their only group stage win and with four loses they failed to make the semi-finals. Norway finished ninth overall after defeating the Bahamas and then Japan in positional playoff matches. With only the top two from this tournament qualifying for Division Four in Tanzania later in the year, Norway missed out on the chance to take their 2011 World Cup
2011 Cricket World Cup
The 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup was the tenth Cricket World Cup. It was played in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh. It was Bangladesh's first time co-hosting a World Cup...
dream any further.
In July 2008, Norway met the top nations of European cricket when they participated in the Division One of the European Championship. The Norwegians finish sixth overall in the six team tournament, losing four of their matches convincingly to; Denmark
Danish cricket team
The Denmark national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Denmark in international cricket matches. They have been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1966 and are currently part of the ICC's High Performance Program.-Beginnings:Cricket has been played...
, Ireland
Irish cricket team
The Ireland cricket team is the cricket team representing all of Ireland. Because of political difficulties, the Irish Cricket Union was not elected to the International Cricket Council until 1993, and qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2007. The Irish Cricket Union is the...
, the Netherlands
Dutch cricket team
The Dutch cricket team is a national cricket team representing the Netherlands. It is administered by the Koninklijke Nederlandse Cricket Bond which is based in Nieuwegein in the centre of the country and is older than many renowned cricket clubs in the West Indies, Australia, and New...
and Scotland
Scottish cricket team
The Scotland national cricket team represents Scotland in the game of cricket. They compete in the Clydesdale Bank 40 as the Scottish Saltires...
whilst their match against Italy
Italian cricket team
The Italy national cricket team is the team that represents the country of Italy in international cricket matches. They have been an associate member of the International Cricket Council since 1995, having previously been an affiliate member since 1984...
was abandoned due to rain.
In August 2009, Norway travelled to Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
to compete in Division Six
2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Six
The 2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Six was a cricket tournament held from 29 August to 5 September 2009 in Singapore. The tournament was the second stage of the qualification structure for the 2015 World Cup as well as part of the wider ICC World Cricket League...
of the World Cricket League
World Cricket League
The ICC World Cricket League is a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council. All associate and affiliate members of the ICC are eligible to compete in the league system, which features a promotion...
. Norway only won only one of five group matches and finished sixth overall after losing a positional playoff to Botswana. As a result, Norway were relegated to Division Seven.
In May 2011, Norway travelled to Botswana
Botswana
Botswana, officially the Republic of Botswana , is a landlocked country located in Southern Africa. The citizens are referred to as "Batswana" . Formerly the British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966...
for Division Seven
2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven
The 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven is a cricket tournament took place from 1 to 8 May 2011. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2015 Cricket World Cup...
of the World Cricket League
World Cricket League
The ICC World Cricket League is a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council. All associate and affiliate members of the ICC are eligible to compete in the league system, which features a promotion...
and their relatively poor performances at ICC events continued as they finished fifth overall. Although they did beat Japan in a group match and then a positional playoff. Fifth place saw Norway relegated to Division Eight
2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Eight
The 2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Eight is a cricket tournament due to take place at some point in 2012. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.-Teams:...
of the World Cricket League.
European ChampionshipEuropean Cricket ChampionshipThe European Cricket Championship is a group of various tournaments in which national cricket sides throughout Europe compete. The tournament is designed to encourage and develop the best players in countries where cricket is not a major sport and Europe's only Test cricket playing country,...
- 1996 to 2002: Did not participate
- 2004: Division Two 4th place
- 2006: Division Two Winners
- 2008: Division One 6th place
- 2010: Division Two 5th place
World Cricket LeagueWorld Cricket LeagueThe ICC World Cricket League is a series of international one-day cricket tournaments for national teams without Test status, administered by the International Cricket Council. All associate and affiliate members of the ICC are eligible to compete in the league system, which features a promotion...
- 2008: Division Five2008 ICC World Cricket League Division FiveThe 2008 ICC World Cricket League Division Five is a cricket tournament that took place between 23 and 31 May 2008 in Jersey. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2011 Cricket World Cup.-Teams:...
9th place - 2009: Division Six2009 ICC World Cricket League Division SixThe 2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Six was a cricket tournament held from 29 August to 5 September 2009 in Singapore. The tournament was the second stage of the qualification structure for the 2015 World Cup as well as part of the wider ICC World Cricket League...
6th place - 2011: Division Seven2011 ICC World Cricket League Division SevenThe 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven is a cricket tournament took place from 1 to 8 May 2011. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2015 Cricket World Cup...
5th place
The future
In 2012, Norway will play in Division Eight2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Eight
The 2012 ICC World Cricket League Division Eight is a cricket tournament due to take place at some point in 2012. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2019 Cricket World Cup.-Teams:...
of the World Cricket League, following their relegation from Division Seven
2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven
The 2011 ICC World Cricket League Division Seven is a cricket tournament took place from 1 to 8 May 2011. It forms part of the ICC World Cricket League and qualifying for the 2015 Cricket World Cup...
.
Current squad
- The following list contains the 14 players in Norways's squad for the 2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Six2009 ICC World Cricket League Division SixThe 2009 ICC World Cricket League Division Six was a cricket tournament held from 29 August to 5 September 2009 in Singapore. The tournament was the second stage of the qualification structure for the 2015 World Cup as well as part of the wider ICC World Cricket League...
- Zaheer Ashiq (CaptainCaptain (cricket)The captain of a cricket team often referred to as the skipper is the appointed leader, having several additional roles and responsibilities over and above those of a regular player...
) - Munawar Ahmed
- Zeeshan Ali
- Rajendr Shirguppi
- Aziz Ataul
- Mubasshar Bhatti
- Shabbas Butt
- Zeshan Ahmed Rauf
- Shahid Ahmad
- Safir Hayat
- Umran Shahzad
- Aamir Waheed
- Iram Dawood
- Adeel Ibrar
- Iftakhar Hussain