Jay Mir says he’s trying to bring communities together, but in a way that most Americans don’t understand — the sport of cricket.
“I have been an avid fan of cricket since I was a kid,” he said. “I grew up in Pakistan. And on the streets of Lahore, cricket is like religion, just like how it is in India and England and Australia.”
Mir is the founder and CEO of the American Premiere League (APL), and spoke with NJ Advance Media from inside the Cricmax indoor sports facility in Old Bridge where pre-registered candidates from a number of states and even Canada, came hoping to demonstrate that they have what it takes to play professionally in the United States.
Jay Mir (Founder and CEO of APL), is interviewed by Roshni Chasmawala, left.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
With an estimated 2.5 billion fans, cricket ranks second only to soccer as the most popular sport worldwide, but it doesn’t even crack the top ten in America.
“If you have to make cricket popular in this country we have to target the cricket loving communities that already reside in the United States,” Mir said. “That being the Southeast Asian expat community, the Caribbean expat community, the English and the Aussies living in the United States, so that’s where this idea of naming the teams based off of the cricket-loving communities came about.”
One of the candidates at Saturday’s tryouts was Kunal Merchant, of Woodbridge, who came to America from Mumbai 14 years ago and now runs a dental lab. “It’s amazing. I make smiles every day,” he said. But business aside, he says cricket is his passion. “Cricket has been in my DNA, basically. It’s a family passion. Every single kid in our family plays cricket. My brother actually plays professionally in India, as well.”
Kunal Merchant, center, of Woodbridge, and originally from Mumbai, India hopes to win a spot as a bowler. His brother plays professionally in India.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
His bowling skills attracted positive attention from Afzaal Butt, chief selector and head coach of American Premiere League, who in his welcoming remarks to all the players gave them a little tip: “Just take it easy and relax and enjoy the game.”
Kunal Merchant, right, of Woodbridge, and originally from Mumbai, India gets bowling instruction from Afzaal Butt, left, chief selector and Head Coach of American Premiere League.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Afzaal Butt, left, chief selector and Head Coach of American Premiere League, watches a bowler's form.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Three bowlers, all from out-of-state, from left, Tahmio Syad, Razpulock Nath and Sami Kahn.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
A batsman takes a swing.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Mir watched the players in action and spoke of the anticipation building for the league’s big tournament at the Yogi Berra Stadium at Montclair University in September.
“They’re all excited. The best thing about this league is that it brings a lot of different communities together. We’ve got an Indian team for the Indians, PAKS for the Pakistanis, Windees for the Caribbean, Bangladeshi and then we have Aussies and English, so this tournament is going to bring a lot of communities together.”
Promising opening night displays of a concert, fireworks and Bollywood dancing, he added, “this is by far going to be the biggest cricket show that the United States has ever witnessed.”
Pre-registered candidates got to pose for individual photos with Jay Mir, right, (Founder and CEO of APL) and other officials.Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
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Michael Mancuso may be reached at mmancuso@njadvancemedia.com.
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