Cricket East

AK11 Cricket Club have made history after being crowned ECB Regional Indoor Champions and securing a place at Finals Day at Lord's Cricket Ground for the first time in the club’s history.

The victory means the side are now just two wins away from becoming National Indoor Champions in 2026, completing a remarkable journey that began with their success in the Huntingdonshire Indoor League.

AK11 earned their place in the national knockout stages after completing a perfect record in the 2024 to 2025 Hunts Indoor League at Bushfield Sports Centre in Peterborough. Winning the league in March 2025 secured their place as Huntingdonshire’s representative in the national competition, which features league champions from across the country.

The national draw placed AK11 straight into the last 16 teams, with Regional Finals Day taking place at Uppingham Sports Centre. Four teams met at the venue with a place in the national finals on the line.

AK11 faced Cherry Willingham from Lincolnshire in the regional semi final. Cherry Willingham arrived with an impressive reputation, having dominated their local league for many years and previously reaching the national indoor finals at Lord’s.

Batting first, AK11 made a positive start before a middle order collapse left them under pressure at 45 for 5. Zeeshan Ul Haq Makdoom provided crucial late runs with a quickfire 23 to push the total to 65 before the side were bowled out with overs remaining.

Cherry Willingham appeared in control during their chase but AK11 produced an excellent fightback with key contributions in the field. Abrar Ahmed was heavily involved behind the stumps with two stumpings and a catch, while run outs from Sudheer Jafeer and Sufyam Mazhar helped turn the momentum. Cherry Willingham needed 14 runs from the final over but AK11 held their nerve to secure a dramatic two run victory and progress to the regional final.

The final brought another tough challenge against Flitwick CC from Bedfordshire, a club with previous experience of national finals.

AK11 posted a strong total of 113 after an excellent partnership between Abrar Ahmed and Sufyan Mazhar. The pair both retired on 25 before returning later in the innings and continuing their attacking approach, each finishing with 48 to set Flitwick a demanding target.

Flitwick made a solid start to their chase and reached 76 for 3 after eight overs, leaving the game finely balanced. With 27 runs required from the final two overs, AK11 responded with a crucial spell of bowling. Hassan Amier delivered a superb wicket maiden in the eleventh over before captain Mohammed Nadeem Zahid sealed the win with a caught and bowled in the final over.

Flitwick were eventually dismissed for 87, giving AK11 a 26 run victory and confirming their place at the national finals.

The achievement marks a major milestone for the club and only the second time a team from Huntingdonshire has reached the indoor finals at Lord’s, following Godmanchester Town’s success in 2010.

AK11 will now look ahead to Finals Day at the Home of Cricket, where they will have the opportunity to compete for the national title and complete an extraordinary season.