Bertus de Jong | 18-04-2026
Following a creditable podium finish last year, 2024 champions Punjab-Ghausia return under a new name this season, turning the page on 30 years of tradition to rebrand as Rotterdam CC, the new name reflective of the growing club’s more expansive and inclusive ambitions. The biggest changes at the club are off field though (not least some substantial upgrades to the Zomercomplex itself) with comparatively few comings and goings among the first team at least. Former Zimbabwe quick Carl Mumba comes over from Voorburg and Samir Butt departs for VOC, but otherwise the 2026 Rotterdam squad looks much like the Punjab-Ghausia one of last year.
The core of the side is still built around two thirds of the Zulfiqar triplets, legspinning all-rounder Saqib lining up behind seam-bowling skipper Sikander, who again takes the armband this season. The pair will play a crucial role in the middle order, especially with big name bats Jonatahn Vandiar and Mohsin Riaz expected to miss much of the early season. Their absence will place greater responsibility for Musa Ahmad and Shoaib Minhas at the top of the order, with keeper-bat Fawad Shinwari perhaps pushed up the order too.
The Rotterdammers will also be hoping for more consistent contributions with the bat from Belgian seam all-rounder Burhan Niaz, who notably played as a dedicated number four in their victorious pre-season Rijmond Cup campaign. Veteran former captain Sulaiman Tariq is also game for another season, and will likely share the new ball with Mumba. Offspin all-rounder and former Pakistan youth international Aaliyan Mahmood returns, as does veteran South African bat Rushdi Jappie, though both are expected to play more of a role in the seconds. Asif Gondal is expected to be a more regular feature in the first again however, and if Ahmad and Minhas can replicate their form with the ball from last season Zulafiqar should not be short of slow bowling options.
All told despite the infrastructural and nominative transformations at the Zomercomplex, it’s more continuity than change for the first XI, a wealth of capable all-rounders still the Rotterdammers’ key strength, coupled with an admirably consistent ambition. When asked about his ambitions and expectations for the coming season, captain Sikander Zulfiqar supplied the laconic response; “Kampioenschap.”
Continuity seems to be the keyword at de Diepput too, Haagsche CC similarly sticking with a well-tested formula that delivered a solid fourth-place finish last season. The sole significant change to the side is the return of Australian Zac Worden, who was key to HCC’s championship run did well four seasons ago. Worden relieves Oli White as batting overseas, but last season’s lead wicket-taker Josh Brown returns for another season. Skipper Boris Gorlee remarked “we’re sticking with just the two [overseas] as usual, and it’s good to have a couple of lads that know the club and what we’re about.”
HCC’s perennial senior trio of Gorlee, Tonny Staal and Hidde Overdijk remain the foundation of the side, but there’s been plenty of youth pushing through at de Diepput too of late. Teuns Kloppenburg and Leijer will likely play a larger bigger role this season, the former back for a full season this time round while the latter has been opening the bowling with Daniel Crowley in pre-season. Likewise Shirshak Banerjeee has established a strong claim on a regular top-order spot, Mark Wolfe has looked settled behind the stumps since taking over the gloves from Yash Patel, and young Justin Trijzelaar has also been knocking on the door.
In the absence of White the slow bowling does look somewhat dependent the prodigal Clayton Floyd’s left arm spin, but the Haagsche’s seam-heavy approach could serve them well in the front-loaded fifty over season. Gorlee was somewhat circumspect in assessing their chances, telling Tkcricket “with the talent we have we know we can beat any team in the competition, though, well, we can certainly lose to anyone too. But if we’re at our best we should be mixing it in the top three.” Though not short of experience, this relatively young HCC side is probably still a few seasons away from their best, and if they can manage a podium finish this year then another title likely won’t be far away.
TKcricket 