With the addition of Belgium’s Ostend Exiles to the ECL ranks, reigning European Cricket League Champions V.O.C. Rotterdam may potentially have a mouthwatering “Low Countries” derby to look forward at next summer’s ECL20.
However, the circumstances surrounding the participation of the Belgian Cricket Federation T20 champions in ECL20 have a tragic but uplifting background.
“Jhanghez Diwan Ali, my cousin and one of our young playing members, sadly passed away last August in a motorbike accident,” said Ostend captain Amer Diwan Ali.
“He was only 21 and married just three weeks before the accident. We therefore made it our goal to become champions this season. We managed this and as a result qualified for ECL20. From next year, we will hold a tournament in tribute to his name.”
Ostend’s neighbours over the border in the Netherlands, V.O.C. Rotterdam were crowned Kings of European cricket when they won the first edition of the European Cricket League (ECL) in magnificent fashion at La Manga Club in Spain.
Naturally, the “Kings of Europe”, V.O.C. Rotterdam will automatically return to defend their majestic trophy between May 31 and June 7, 2020. The second-staging of the tournament - ECL20 - promises to be even bigger and better. Due to huge interest and demand for the competition, ECL20 will expand its number of champion teams - spread over eight days of exciting fast-paced T10 action at La Manga Club in Spain.
We welcome Belgium’s Ostend Exiles to the 2020 European Cricket League.