Â鶹Éçmadou

In partnership with MEDIBANK International and Venues NSW, we had the privilege of taking the Â鶹Éçmadou Indian Society, Bangladesh Society, and Pakistani Society to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) to take part in the inaugural International Student Cricket Day, competing for the prestigious Usman Khawaja Cup.

The anticipation was electric as the societies packed into the SCG Members’ Stand, eagerly awaiting an incredible day of cricket ahead. For many, it was their first time visiting the SCG, and what a way to experience it for the first time.The day began with a moment every cricket lover dreams of—changing into their gear inside the Australian Cricket Team’s home dressing rooms. The SCG, a stadium steeped in sporting history and one of the most renowned cricket grounds in the world, provided the perfect backdrop. Under clear blue skies and in perfect summer conditions, the pitch had plenty of green, offering a lot for the bowlers.

Game 1 - India vs. Pakistan

The first match of the day featured a blockbuster showdown between India and Pakistan, setting the tone for an action-packed tournament. The Consul-General of India, Dr. S Janakiraman, was present to oversee the first coin toss of the day. India won the toss and elected to bowl first—a decision that proved to be a wise one given the dry pitch, which had already begun cracking under the summer heat.

With the Pakistani batsmen looking to build a steady start, Indian captain Sattvik Narayan set the tempo early with his aggressive pace bowling, striking in the very first over. Pakistan’s Rehaab Afzaal tried to shift momentum, smashing the day’s first six and contributing 15 runs, but India’s bowlers remained disciplined. Lakshminarayanan Aditya was the pick of the bowlers with a tight spell of 1/5 off 3 overs, helping restrict Pakistan to a modest 3/64 off 10 overs.

Chasing 65 to win, India started slowly but built momentum. Arnav Raina then provided fireworks, blasting 23 off 9 deliveries, including three boundaries and a six. India cruised to victory without losing a wicket, finishing at 0/65 and setting up an exciting day ahead.

Game 2 - Pakistan vs. Bangladesh

After a quick break, it was Bangladesh’s turn to face Pakistan. Winning the toss, Bangladesh opted to bowl first, hoping to capitalize on the assistance the pitch provided to seamers. In a case of near deja vu, Pakistan once again found themselves posting a score of 63, facing relentless pressure from the Bangladeshi bowlers. Left-arm quick Mahadi Shaheed was sensational, ripping through the batting lineup with figures of 4/15 off two overs. Pakistani opener Ayaan Malik made up for his early departure in the previous game, hitting 19 off 10 balls, but Bangladesh’s bowlers remained in control.

Bangladesh’s chase started smoothly, with their openers reaching 30 runs without loss. However, the Pakistani bowlers weren’t ready to go down without a fight. A flurry of wickets saw Bangladesh stumble to 7/55, leaving them in a precarious position. With just a few balls remaining, the tail-enders held their nerve, securing a dramatic last-over victory and knocking Pakistan out of the tournament.

Championship Match – India vs. Bangladesh

With Pakistan eliminated, the championship match was set: India vs. Bangladesh. The final came with new rules—extending the innings from 10 to 16 overs, and allowing batsmen to retire at 50 runs or 20 balls rather than the 25 runs and 10 balls in the group stage. The atmosphere inside the SCG was electric, with the crowd cheering for boundaries, jeering umpiring decisions, and even providing some hilarious commentary over the SCG speakers.

The final commenced with national anthems ringing through the stadium—a surreal moment for the players, many of whom were playing in their first major cricketing event at such an iconic venue. India won the toss and, in a break from previous decisions, elected to bat first.

Openers Bhatia Jeet and Aayush Veturi wasted no time making their mark. Bhatia Jeet smashed 24 off 13 deliveries, including some monstrous sixes, before being caught. Aayush Veturi was equally destructive, hitting 27 off 13 and keeping the scoreboard ticking. The Bangladeshi bowlers fought hard, but a few crucial dropped catches proved costly. Arnav Raina, continuing his spectacular form, played a sublime innings of 35 off 20 balls, while Armaan Satish Sajnani followed suit with 34 off 19. Indian captain Sattvik Narayan finished the innings in style, smashing a six off a full toss delivery to take India to an imposing total of 3/147 off 16 overs.

With a massive target ahead of them, Bangladesh needed a strong start, but India’s bowlers kept the pressure high. Opener Agnik Podder provided a glimmer of hope, hammering 24 off 9 balls before falling LBW. However, India’s bowling attack proved too much, with Arnav Raina again starring, this time with the ball, taking 3/8 off 3 overs. Wicketkeeper Aayush Veturi also played a crucial role with excellent catches and a brilliant stumping.

Bangladesh showed tremendous fighting spirit, refusing to go down without a battle. But ultimately, they fell short, being bowled out for 103 runs. As the final wicket fell, the Indian team erupted in celebration, meeting their ecstatic supporters in the middle of the pitch. They were soon awarded the 2025 Usman Khawaja Cup after an incredible day of cricket.

These sorts of days remind us of the power of sport in bringing people from different backgrounds together in a celebration of unity and friendly competition. The inaugural International Student Cricket Day was more than just a tournament—it was a testament to the rich sporting culture within Â鶹Éçmadou’s international student community.

A huge thank you to MEDIBANK International for providing the funding for each society’s cricket attire and assisting with the collaboration with Venues NSW to allow us to use this prestigious cricketing ground for the day. Special thanks to Mark Wright, Head of Sport & Local Community, for his vision in making this event a reality. Neil Morris, Director of Wellbeing, for collaborating partners and assisting with the organisation of the day.  A special acknowledgment to Madhav Raman from Â鶹Éçmadou Health Promotions for organizing the event at such short notice, and to Arc Sport for their tremendous help in coordinating the societies and structuring the tournament rules.

With such an unforgettable first edition, we are already looking forward to next year’s International Student Cricket Day. The big question remains—who will take home the Usman Khawaja Cup in 2026?