HAMZAH CRICKET LEAGUE (HCL) 2017 RULES
Contents
WAIVER and APPEAL LETTER
RULES AND GUIDELINES
WEATHER and PLAYING CONDITION
TEAMS and SQUAD
PLAYERS
RESERVES
RUNNERS
RETIRING and RETIRED-HURT
GROUND and PITCH
TIMINGS and SCHEDULE
OVERS
MEASUREMENTS
BALLS and BATS
EQUIPMENTS
SCORES and SCORESHEETS
UMPIRES
UMPIRING
WICKET DECISION
RANKING
CONFLICTS
FEES
MISCELLANEOUS
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HAMZAH CRICKET LEAGUE (HCL) 2017 RULES
Please read the HCL 2017 Rules and click on the following links, read them all, agree and sign (as
applicable) before playing in the HCL.
1.
HCL 2017 Waiver
2.
Formats
3.
HCL 2017 Scoresheet
1. WAIVER and APPEAL LETTER
a. Please read, agree and sign HCL 2017 Waiver Form, duly filled form must be submitted by all
the teams (and players with date and signature) ​NO EXCEPTIONS​.
b. New player(s) can be added up-to 18 to the team but after signing the Waiver Form.​ Injured
player(s) can be replaced or added. Also, as an exception, if a player goes to perform Hajj a
replacement can be added, NOT for players attending community events.
c. The above are the outliers, neither talks about the entire Waiver nor the Appeal Letter, please
refer ​www.HamzahSports.com​ Cricket menu for further information.
2. RULES AND GUIDELINES
a. We are following the ICC T20 playing rules (not any other ICC/other tournaments) as much as
we can with the exceptions customized according to the HCL interests, situation, ground and
playing conditions.
b. Captains and all players agree to abide by the HCL Rules and regulations to qualify for playing
in the HCL.
c. There must not be any attempt to change the rules in the ground.
d. Any rule change requests must be forwarded to HCL 2017 Committee.
e. Any match(es) played outside of HCL 2017 Rules will not stand valid in front of Conflicts
Resolution or Disciplinary Actions Committees; also you cannot expect others to follow.
f.
We can improve as we progress and cannot document every other cases or exceptions upfront,
need to deal with case to case basis.
g. As we want to focus on playing a quality cricket instead of dealing with alternative routes,
opinions, views and finding a way out of it.
3. WEATHER and PLAYING CONDITION
a.
Due to safety of players, HCL strictly advises not to play on the day of raining including
overnight and early hour showers.
b.
If weather has improved before the match starts, captains and umpires can choose to play full
match or reduced overs per guidelines given below in a table.
c. Pitch should be used in such a way that it is not damaged.
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HAMZAH CRICKET LEAGUE (HCL) 2017 RULES
4. TEAMS and SQUAD
a.
From HCL 2017, we have taken best effort to avoid any confusion with regards to teams or
squads by declaring them in the website.
b.
Captains must submit at least 6 (six) players of a team before scheduling a match.
c.
Before start of a match, captains need to hand over the playing (6 to 11, if any reserve(s)) list to
the umpires (to opponent captain if umpires are absent), there can be no exceptions to this.
d.
Umpires will have to check with captains if the players & reserves have submitted the waiver.
e.
Reserves can only be from the team’s own squad. If opponent captain and/or the umpire find
the rule has been violated, the forfeited team(s) gets 0 points.
5. PLAYERS
a.
Players cannot stand in a position where the other players cannot see i.e. cannot hide or stand
in an elevated or lower position. For e.g. can't stand in the slope or sinkhole to take easy
catches.
b.
11 players per side plus reserves.
c.
Maximum 5 fielders are allowed in the Offside or the Onside, per ICC (leg side) and HCL
ground conditions.
d.
After stopping or catching the ball in the boundary or conflicting areas, the fielder is expected to
stay in that position. If not the umpires will make the final decision upon an appeal.
e.
The same player cannot play for multiple teams in a tournament.
f.
The following roles must be have been declared in the squad at the website before the following
situations take place, at least a day before the game.
g.
A bowler cannot bowl immediately under the following conditions
●
Returning from a personal break or to fill the playing 11 or as a substitue, they must join
the game from the start of a fresh over.
h.
A batsman is allowed to bat under the following circumstances as well:
●
Did not field in the first inning.
●
Joins the team during the batting.
●
Number of players in the fielding team are less than 11
6. RESERVES
a.
Reserves players need to be identified BEFORE start of the match and must be notified to
umpires and opponent captain.
b.
In case of a serious injury to a regular player, one Reserve is allowed to replace the injured
player’s position.
7. RUNNERS
a.
Runners can be used if needed and agreed by opponent captain and umpire(s).​ For e.g.
injured, can't play due to health or medical conditions, for calling Adhan in Masjid are few
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exceptional scenarios.
b.
Runners cannot be used to help player(s) to settle down, or to take a break or to refresh.
c.
Umpire(s) should declare the player retired-out (can't) return if not listening to the umpire(s) or
opponent captain applying the HCL 2017 rules.
8. RETIRING and RETIRED-HURT
a.
If situation demands, batsmen can retire with the consent from the opponent captain and
umpires.
b.
If the batsman/batsmen cannot play due to a valid reason, the retired ones will be allowed to
play. If not returned, the Scoresheets should read as “Retired Hurt”.
c.
If the batsman/batsmen do not want to play, the Scoresheets should read as “Retired Out”.
9. GROUND and PITCH
a.
Several years of effort have been made to prepare the ground and pitch we see today, it is
everyone's responsibility to respect those efforts and pay attention to every minor details been
requested on behalf of HCL.
b.
HCL strictly recommends following the Ground and pitch rules as highlighted in the Waiver and
elsewhere.
c.
Don’t throw any form of trash into the ground or pitch; use the trash facility available over there.
10. TIMINGS and SCHEDULE
a.
During weekends, strictly no games after 5pm. Only in rare situations, when a game must
produce a result which cannot be completed or rescheduled later and only the in cae of play off
games, we can play until 5.30pm. No round robin games allowed after 5pm including additional
practices.
b.
Timings Sat & Sun: 9.30am to 5pm.
c.
Morning games must not start before 9:30am.
d.
Toss timings: 9:30am and 12:45pm.
e.
Mandatory break for Prayers before 15 minutes of Iqama.
f.
Prayer break is considered innings break to save time and enabling on start time of next game
or any other HCL/Masjid event planned.
g.
No swapping of games are allowed.
h.
Open slots cannot be used to reschedule the games.
11. OVERS
a.
Super Over and Free Hit will be followed but no LBW, DWL and Power Play.
b.
Super Over: If a decider/knockout match is tied, if time permitting on the same day after a fresh
toss, 1 (one) over per side allowing maximum of 3 (three) batsmen but only 1 (one) except that
umpire(s) deemed the bowler need to be taken out due to safety of player(s). Results can be
tied, please follow ICC and HCL rules thereafter.
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c.
Free Hit will be followed only in case of overstepping by the bowler. HCL will not follow every
other Free Hit scenarios that were recently announced by the ICC as we need to ensure an
on-time completion of games as well as complexity in decding heights of a NoBall (FYI: We’re
not issuing warning to the bowler due to complexity in determining the height in case of NoBall
situation in a closer call i.e. shoulder height or would’ve/could’ve went over the shoulder or not).
d.
Free Hit: If a bowler delivers a no ball by overstepping the popping crease, it costs 1 run and his
next delivery is designated a "free-hit". In this circumstance the batsman can only be dismissed
through a run out, hitting the ball twice, obstructing the field or handling the ball.
e.
One warning if ball goes over the shoulder of a batsman in a normal standing position otherwise
from the 2nd​
​ (second) attempt it is either called NoBall or Wide as decided by umpire. NoBall or
Wide rules follows after umpire’s call (a free-hit if over stepped 2nd​
​ time with a bouncer again).
Optionally, captains and umpires may agree to give NoBall immediately before the start of a
match.
f.
Bowler bowling more than 2 offensive or threatening balls will be asked to stop the over and
remaining Blower(s) will have to continue per HCL 2017 rule.
g.
FullToss over the waist is considered a NoBall (if in doubt, please discuss with umpire, umpire's
call is final).
h.
Teams are expected to be prepared for approximately 4 hours of play with 10 minutes break
in-between each inning. An optional 5 minutes break can be used after 10 overs of each inning.
i.
Overs can be reduced in the decrement of one over only and not in terms of number of balls,
should be decided before the start of a match.
j.
If both the teams are available and the match cannot be started on time, then 1 over will be
deducted from both the teams for every 10 minutes of delay, for example, if play can't start due
to rain or fog started 20 minutes late then the match will be 18 overs (each Innings) and not 20
Overs, at least minimum if 10 overs each side will have to play.
k.
If a delay is caused by 1 (one) team that team's over will be decreased by 1 (over) for every 10
minutes of delay, if batting or bowling is delayed or both times if both are delayed.
l.
If a delayed is caused by umpires, please contact HCL immediately, we will try to accommodate
as much as we can, but can't promise the full quota of 20 overs per side, if Masjid event or
another match is conflicted or scheduled or umpire(s) or opponent team disagrees to play the
full quota due to time lost. In this case, both teams will get equal amount of over and the
umpiring team will be penalized as per rule.
Below table summarizes the reduced overs scenario, maximum allowed (minimum not in scope.
Each bowler may ​bowl a maximum of only one-fifth of the total overs​ per inning. For a full,
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uninterrupted (20), 15 and 10 overs matches, this is 4, 3 and 2 overs, respectively. Number of overs
not divisible by 5 (five) should follow the table below which was arrived based on a method that we
knew at that point in time.
Minutes Delayed
Playable Overs
Maximum Overs for Bowlers
10
19
4 for 4
20
18
4 for 4
30
17
4 for 4
40
16
4 for 4
50
15
3 for 5
60
14
3 for 4
70
13
3 for 4
80
12
3 for 4
90
11
3 for 3
100
10
2 for 5
*Note: Net RR will be calculated based on 20 overs, not based on how many overs each team settle to play
based on several factors.
12. MEASUREMENTS
a.
Since matches are being played in a limited field area (see diagram in appendix), both teams
have a responsibility to mark the field before start of the match with umpire(s) as per the HCL
guidelines.
b.
Pitch is 66 feet from Wicket to Wicket.
c.
Onside Boundary is 165 feet from the middle of the pitch in a straight line to the Deep, Deep
Forward and Long On. Boundary decisions will be made based on a straight line between these
three Positions.
d.
Offside Boundary is 100 to 165 feet from the middle of the pitch in a straight line to the Deep,
Deep Extra Cover and Long Off. Boundary decision will be made based on a straight line
between these three Positions.
e.
Straight Boundary is touching or passing the fence (4s and 6s).
f.
No change of rules for the left hand bowler or batsman.
g.
Anything not covered ​here​, u
​ mpires and captains will have to decide before the match starts or
as soon as the first instance occurs if decides to apply uniformly to both teams, especially balls
rolling over and getting stuck in the creek while batsmen have started/finished running.
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h.
For 1D and 2D, please refer Ground Map.
13. BALLS and BATS
a.
New red color Hard Tennis Ball (preferably NIVIA-CT-3811) in each new inning.
b.
Both sides will have to bring their own balls.
c.
Batting team has to replace if the ball is lost.
d.
Yellow hard tennis ball may be used only with the consent from umpires and the opponent
captain if and only if the weather demands for a better visibility during darker period.
e.
Standard cricket bat should be used which is suitable for the Hard Tennis balls.
14. EQUIPMENTS
a.
Teams are responsible for their full playing kit.
b.
HCL strongly recommends playing with safety kits/protective gears such as abdomen
guard/cup.
c.
Only spring Wickets are allowed.
d.
Bails should be used.
e.
Bring a measuring tape to mark creases and boundaries. Alternatively a standard bat can be
used to measure the creases if there is no way to measure.
15. SCORES and SCORESHEETS
a.
HCL 2017 Scoresheets must be used under the website.
b.
Follow the Codes, Guidelines and Examples provided in the Scoresheet.
c.
Don’t use your own coding.
d.
Completed and signed Scoresheets are mandatory for the Awards, Points and NetRR.
e.
Captains and umpires should sign and handover the originals to the umpires.
f.
Take a picture and send completed Scoresheets to HCL i.e. to the assigned Committee
incharge.
g.
Any discrepancies should be notified to the umpires, captains and HCL as early as possible.
h.
All must follow HCL Scoresheet tracking procedures.
16. UMPIRES
a.
Never rush a decision.
b.
Don’t feel you need to be part of the game.
c.
If asked, it's okay to explain to the bowler or captain your decision.
d.
If a player or team is appealing frequently, don’t let it affect you.
e.
Be consistent with your decisions.
f.
If in doubt, consult 2nd (second) umpire or the captains.
g.
Do your best, contact HCL for any assistance.
h.
Don’t use your personal interpretations outside of this rule book to make a decision.
i.
Don’t ever attempt to penalize team(s) or player(s) based on past incidents, current rankings,
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net rr, results of any form, and make unbiased decision(s) based on the match fact(s).
j.
As umpires are not professionals, altering decisions or jurisdiction questions either call HCL or
refer ICC.
17. UMPIRING
a.
Send 2 (two) umpires as communicated.
b.
Umpires must make sure that Scoresheets are complete per HCL and handover to HCL, also
recommended to send soft copy.
c.
On field umpires can change their positions.
d.
Leg umpire should stand in a safer distance and also in a close proximity.
e.
Umpires should ask guard from the bowlers and do not penalize if the bowler did not mention.
Declare the ball dead if forgot by both.
h. Penalties - the following penalties apply (should be reported by playing teams/umpires on the
scoresheet)
•If 1 (one) umpire shows up – immediate deduction of 0.5 from Points (not from NetRR). For
e.g. a team with 0 Points will get -0.5 Points.
•Complete No Show – Immediate deduction of 1 from Points (not from NetRR). For e.g. a
team with 0 Points will get -1 Point.
•Late Arrival 1 (one) or 2 (two) umpires – first 5 (five) overs, immediate deduction of 0.05
per over per umpire from Points. After 5th (fifth) over i.e. 5.1 has started, the above No
Show penalty will be applied.
•Left during match, the above No Show penalty will be applied.
If the umpiring team is out of the HCL 2017 tournament, HCL will decide further actions and
let teams know.
18. WICKET DECISION
a.
Batsman will not be given Out if the ball is caught in an unusual fashion with reference to the
HCL ground structure (such as bounced off from the fence, tree, after reaching 1D/2D areas,
etc.).
b.
To declare 4s or 6s the ball will have to pass the obstacles.
c.
After taking catch, if the fielder touches the fence or takes any support except from the
co-fielder, it is declared NotOut.
d.
When Wickets (Stumps) with a base is used, even if the ball touches the base, it is considered
Out as the umpires no way of knowing whether the Ball hit only the base or touched the Stumps
as well.
e.
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Crease). 1 Warning to batsman, 2nd​
​ time, if the same batsman repeats, he will be out.
19. RANKING
a.
Win 2 points; tie/no result 1 point; loss 0 points.
b.
RunRate (RR) and Net Run Rate (NRR) will be calculated by HCL if situation demands, and it
will be based on 20 overs - not based onhow many overs each team settle on to play according
to the/their circumstances. We will try to follow ICC T20 RR/NRR rules.​ AFTER ADJUSTING
TO UMPIRING PENALTIES, DISCIPLINARY ACTION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
AND HCL DIRECTIONS.
c.
Teams cannot settle on points if they’re unavailable, hence they forfeit i.e. both teams get 0
points.
20. CONFLICTS
a.
As we are all representing our community and HCL, any conflicts have to be dealt in a best
amicable/sportive manner with umpires and captains. Keep HCL Rules Book with you to refer
before continuing further discussions. If not resolved, please contact HCL. If match is not
continued, HCL will make a final decision and will let the respective parties know the decision
b.
We’ve created a Disciplinary Actions and Conflicts Resolutions Committee to resolve unusuall
situations, conflicts or competing views, etc. We’ll get back to the impacted ones as soon as we
can, however noone should demand or expect our response as per their timeframe or
requirements as we’re working as volunteers. Overall, we’ve been providing the resolution
ontime and as needed.
c.
In case of no show or less than 6 players of a team, the match will be awarded to the opponent
with at least 6 players present in the ground and be ready to play with their kit, as adjudicted by
both umpires - one umpire cannot make the decision.
d.
A match can be played if both teams have at least 6 players present without changing the HCL
Rules.
e.
If the opponent captain and umpires think that the match is delayed due to Slow Over Rate, the
umpires have rights to decide the match result or adjust the match according to the situation.
f.
If an inning is disturbed by an unexpected event, the umpires will evaluate the situation with the
captains and take the necessary decision. The affected match can be resumed if there is any
disagreement on the points split provided there is no issue with scheduling, umpiring or ground
availability. ​No RunRate for that match in a non-tie situation. This must not conflict with other
games. No REPLAYS.
g.
Any violation(s) found by the opponent captain or umpires or HCL, will be referred to
Disciplinary Actions Committee.
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21. FEES
a.
All teams should pay their fees on time, before the start of their 1st​​ match or as deadline set by
HCL, as outlined in the HCL 2017 Registration in the website. A team which hasn’t paid their
fee - will not get scheduling, umpiring, ranking, trophies, etc. and will be at par with other paid
participants as well as loose all their records for the forfeiting ones including their players.
b.
Previous decisions doesn’t apply anymore if a team didn’t pay and got them in the HCL system.
c.
HCL expects generous donations from teams and individuals to improve the league.
d.
HCL is requesting not to pass on cost or fees to captains or any individuals in a team.
22. MISCELLANEOUS
a. Do not assume anything, verify before attempting.
b. Don't attempt to collect balls from the neighborhood areas beyond our fences. Use another ball
instead.
c. Do not move any items without the knowledge of HCL as we are bound by Forsyth county and
HIC rules and guidelines.
d. Teams are expected to adjust to the current ground conditions; it will only get better with your
cooperation, support and generous donations.
e. Team uniform is encouraged but is not mandatory.
f.
HCL will review the Rules time to time and communicate the changes accordingly.​ We will not
make any changes to the any rules while a tournament is in play (after 1st​​ match has started)
unless it is deemed an error from HCL or require mandatory adjustments.
g. Please use proper sports attire.
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GROUND MAP
THANK YOU ALL FOR FOLLOWING THE RULES AND SUPPORTING US.
JAZAKKUM ALLAH KHAIRAN
HCL 2017 COMMITTEE
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