Introduction to Stars Cricket Club

It all started back in the summer of 1995 when a handful of young athletes started a tape ball cricket team by the name of Plainfield Tigers. Today after fifteen years of playing cricket, the club has not only changed its name to the “Stars Cricket Club” but has evolved into a registered non profit 501 (c) (7) organization in New Jersey, playing in two of the most prestigious leagues on the Atlantic coast.

Our Mission is to encourage and advance the game of cricket in New Jersey along with promoting sportsmanship, fellowship and delight of the game, and also to practice fair play and adherence to cricket codes of conduct both on and off the field of play.

The Stars Cricket Club has around 40 members and play in two leagues, namely – The Millennium Cricket League (MCL); which is primarily played on Saturdays and in The Cricket League of New Jersey (CLNJ); which hosts its games for the most part on Sundays. The Club is a active participant in friendly games hosted before and after the league’s regular, which encompasses of multiple cricket tournaments.

In CLNJ, or as we call it our Sunday league, we field a more competitive team whose goal is to go out and play to win every game. And it is this mindset that has helped the Club bring home the Championship Trophy for the year 2009. Though the Club was just shy of defending its title in 2010, Stars topped the League’s regular season points table. The season had ended for the team following a disheartening loss in the semi finals. In all, Stars have made the playoff for six straight years and made it to the semi-final 2010, 2011 and 2013.

In addition, taking into consideration team members who don’t make the Sunday league, due to any reason, the Club partakes in season games hosted by the MCL to give them an opportunity to enjoy cricket.

Every institution has its founding members and contributors who work for its advancement. The Stars Cricket Club is no different. The Club has seen some very dedicated individuals in the past who have worked tirelessly on and off the field for the betterment of STARS. They not only played but also managed the team players and playing a vital role in handling individual and team matters within, and those dealing directly with the league – from AGM’s to ground assignments.

Shedding some light on the history of its founding members; the team started with Faisal Bhai and Jawed Mamu who introduced its members to tape ball cricket and was then managed by Asif Bari and Jawed Aikal under whom the team flourished as a recognized hard ball team. The torch was then passed on to the current leadership team consisting of Saroosh Nadeem, Waqas Khan and Adeel Khan.

Ever since its formation, the club has been blessed with individual players who have not only shined for the club but made their mark in the region. Raheel Malik is one of those home grown players who excelled not only at club level, topping both leagues (MCL & CLNJ) as the highest scoring batsman and wicket taker but at a young age of 18 represented the under 19 Atlantic region team in the year 2006, who had won the country’s regional tournament. Raheel’s cricketing career may have ended due to an unfortunate car accident but his legendry tales of cricket live on.

The Stars Cricket Club has always believed that cricket should be fun. Although we have a strong will to win and play to good standards, humor and banter on the ground are positively encouraged. Come join us and see what the buzz is all about.