Mechelen Eagles CC

Mechelen Eagles CC, hailing from the heart of Belgium, isn’t just any cricket team — it’s a symbol of community, hard graft, and a touch of Belgian pride mixed with an international flair. Founded in 2014, the Eagles burst onto the scene as a humble gathering of cricket enthusiasts in Mechelen, a city better known for its historical architecture than for crease and wickets. Yet, through a decade of swings and seamers, they have carved a respectable niche in the Belgian cricket landscape.

The team’s rise hasn’t been without its hiccups, but they’ve gone from strength to strength, steadily climbing the ranks of the domestic leagues. One of their crowning glories was clinching the Belgian T20 Cup in 2019. This feat, not to be dismissed lightly, came with its fair share of nail-biting finishes. It’s perhaps their ability to hold their nerve under pressure that has endeared them to fans from Mechelen and beyond.

When we talk about key players, names like Amir Ali, the team's stalwart all-rounder, and Razzaq Khan, the fiery paceman, pop up. Amir’s knack for delivering in clutch moments has turned many a game, while Razzaq’s explosive spells often leave batsmen groping for answers. These gentlemen are more than just players; they are the backbone of the Eagles’ camaraderie and competitive spirit.

Their rivalry with Antwerp Giants has turned several ordinary Saturday afternoons into high-adrenaline affairs, with matches often swinging on a single delivery or a blinding catch. A particularly memorable match was in the 2020 season, where Mechelen Eagles edged out a victory by just one run — a game that certainly left the fans elated and several players breathless.

Playing with an aggressive style yet maintaining an air of unpredictability is the Eagles’ forte. Their strategy often leans towards an aggressive top-order approach, underpinned by a robust bowling attack that can adapt to the batsman and conditions with startling speed.

The Eagles' home ground, the Mechelen Cricket Ground, may not be a sprawling stadium, but it’s beloved by the locals. It offers an intimate vibe, where fans sport not just team colours, but engage in lively banter and share stories over waffles and local brews. It's this blend of community and cricket that sets the Eagles apart. Celebrations post-victory often spill into nearby cafés where the team and fans alike relish in their shared victory, redefining what it means to support "the plucky underdogs" in Belgian cricket.

Group B, 9th Match, European Cricket League - March 1, 2024

Huddinge

144/7 (10)

Mechelen Eagles CC

111/5 (10)

Huddinge won by 33 runs

Player of the Match

Samiullah Rahmani

Group B, 6th Match, European Cricket League - March 1, 2024

Prague CC

110/6 (10)

Mechelen Eagles CC

115/4 (10)

Mechelen Eagles CC won by 5 runs

Player of the Match

Hedayatullah Sherzad

Group B, 4th Match, European Cricket League - February 29, 2024

Wimbledon CC

94/2 (5)

Mechelen Eagles CC

88/10 (9.5)

Wimbledon CC won by 8 wickets (with 30 balls remaining)

Player of the Match

James Weir

Group B, 1st Match, European Cricket League - February 29, 2024

Hornchurch CC

130/8 (10)

Mechelen Eagles CC

52/10 (7.3)

Hornchurch CC won by 78 runs

Player of the Match

Billy Gordon

Khurram Cheema
Position: Allrounder
Age: 24

Yar Mohammed
Position: Batsman
Age: 24

Ikramullah Naser
Position: Allrounder
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast Medium
Age: 24

Muhammed Ismail
Position: Allrounder
Age: 24

Shakirullah Khogyani
Position: Bowler
Age: 24

Deen Islam
Position: Allrounder
Age: 24

Dileep Singh
Position: Allrounder
Age: 24

Kamran Zazai
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Age: 32

Ehsanullah Usmanzai
Position: Batsman
Age: 24

Abdul Rahim
Position: Bowler
Age: 25

Malikzai Amanullah
Position: Bowler
Age: 24

Saran Tejinder
Position: Wicketkeeper
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 24

Abu Syed
Position: Batsman
Age: 24

Shah Newaz
Position: Bowler
Age: 24

Ikramullah Naseer
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Left Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Slow Left Arm Orthodox
Age: 28

Hedayatullah Sherzad
Position: Allrounder
Age: 28

Abdulrahimzai Idreas
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 22

Shinwari Mujeeb
Position: Batsman
Age: 25

Miakhel Yar
Position: Batsman
Age: 25

Khogyani Shakerullah
Position: Batsman
Age: 25

Tejinder Saran
Position: Batsman
Age: 25

Pankaj Verma
Position: Allrounder
Age: 25

Tejpal Singh
Position: Allrounder
Age: 25

Ravi Choudhary
Position: Batsman
Age: 25

Vivek Mohanakumar Ajantha
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 38

Muhammad Ismail
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast Medium
Age: 41

Momand Idris
Position: Batsman
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 2025

Gurpreet Singh
Position: Bowler
Age: 32

Mazar Marshal
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 2025

Sayed Shirzad
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Left Arm Fast Medium
Age: 30

Prem Wadhwa
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 24

Ainuddin Zakhel
Position: Bowler
Batting Style: Right Hand Bat
Bowling Style: Right Arm Fast
Age: 2025

Shirzad Subhanullah
Position: Allrounder
Age: 25

The Belgian Oval
City: Gent
Country: Belgium

Vrijbroek Cricket Ground
City: Mechelen
Country: Belgium
Capacity: 120000