The 5th annual Dawoodi Bohra cricket tournament in New Jersey opened on a high note at Bicentennial Park, where community members were joined in their beloved sport by East Brunswick Mayor Brad Cohen and Economic Development Officer Robert Zuckerman. Organized by the community’s Burhani Cricket Club, the event brought together four teams under one banner: “4 Teams, One Dream.”
Mayor Cohen not only joined the crowd but also stepped onto the pitch with a bat in hand. To everyone’s surprise, he came in with a fierce swing — as if he’d been batting for years — and connected cleanly on his very first attempt. The crowd erupted, and the Mayor, with good humor, decided to retire undefeated:
“It was great to see an epic cricket tournament sponsored by the Dawoodi Bohra community today at Bicentennial Park. The weather was perfect, and they even let me try my swing on the pitch. I hit the first one, so I’m stopping at one for one. And the greatest sign that all things point to East Brunswick is that the ‘green’ team won.”
Economic Development Officer Robert Zuckerman, who cheered enthusiastically from the sidelines, added: “I didn’t play this time, but what a great day to spend at Bicentennial Park for the Burhani Cricket Club Tournament 2025.”
Cricket Across Generations
From the first ball, the field buzzed with energy as families gathered on the sidelines to cheer. Community member and spectator Batul Vohra described the joy of seeing the youngest player, Miqdad Adnan, a thirteen-year-old, alongside senior veterans in their late sixties like Abdul Hussain Abbas, while Hashim Chital’s running commentary added to the festive spirit.
The competition was fierce. Farida Abdeali recalled how “the finals kept everyone on the edge of their seats with both sides giving their best,” while Miqdad Adnan, part of the winning team, shared: “The tournament was an amazing experience. Considering we were not the strongest team, winning brought our confidence and morale up. Huge credit to the organizing team, who really put in their time to make the event smooth.”
Mansoor Poonawala, new to cricket, said he enjoyed “watching competitive yet fun cricket,” while Murtuza Kapadia reflected on how the event connected generations: “It was a great initiative to bring the community together for a sport loved by people from all walks of life. I was glad to see participation from the younger generation as well. It felt like a family event where everyone enjoyed themselves, and the game was played in good spirit. Kudos to the organizers.”
Husain Rajnagar, a senior community member said, “This was a fantastic tournament. Events like these align with our community’s core values to stay active and healthy. All the teams put in a lot of effort and played with great spirit.”
More than Just a Game
Now in its fifth year, the New Jersey Dawoodi Bohra cricket tournament has grown into a highlight of the community calendar. While a number of sports including basketball, volleyball, and ultimate frisbee are also played by the community throughout the year, the cricket match allows older generations to reconnect with their childhoods and gives young Dawoodi Bohra Americans the chance to sample a pastime linked to their South Asian heritage.
With the final runs scored and the green team crowned champions, the day ended in celebration — but its real success lay in the camaraderie, healthy competition, and togetherness it inspired.
As one participant summed it up, cricket here is not just a sport, but “a reminder that when we come together, the community wins”.
