Freddy Sidhwa XI vs Forty Club - a special match with a huge message

By K.R. Nayar 

Dubai. When those who serve the game in various capacities come together to play a match purely for the fun of it, cricket flourishes in its full beauty. On Sunday (January 12), the visiting Forty Club from England played against Freddy Sidhwa’s Ocean Fair International (OFI) XI in a match that resulted in a thrilling four-wicket victory for OFI. This wasn’t a game played to win but to revel in the sheer pleasure of cricket on a lush green ground, in a weather reminiscent of an English summer. The match carried a profound message for all lovers of the game.

 

Forty Club and Freddy Sidhwa OFI XI.
Photos by Ajita Nayar 
 

While it wasn’t a historic match, it had historical significance. Both teams brought something special to the field. Freddy, the organizer of the match, is an inspiration to young and old alike. At the age of 83, he continues to defy age by actively participating in the game. Similarly, the Forty Club, founded in 1936 and now 88 years old, has a storied legacy. 

Freddy’s commitment to organizing matches and playing in domestic tournaments, often winning “man of the match” accolades, is truly motivational. Meanwhile, the Forty Club has inspired generations of budding cricketers and encouraged those who had stopped playing to return to the game. Their philosophy, embodied in the club’s name, encourages playing beyond the age of 40, emphasizing that age should never be a barrier.

 

Many players from OFI, including myself, were participating in a match after a long hiatus. Freddy takes great joy in seeing people return to the cricket ground and ensures that any employee from his company with cricketing experience is encouraged to play on weekends.

 

From left: Akbar Rana, Mohammad Lokhandwala, former Dubai Cricket Council secretary, Mazar Khan, General Manager, Sharjah Cricket Stadium, yours sincerely, Gopal Jasapara and Freddy Sidhwa. 

The Forty Club, originally established to bring cricket to schools, has evolved into a nomadic or “wandering” club. Its logo, XL (Roman numerals for 40), reflects its unique spirit. Without a home ground of its own, the club exclusively plays away matches. They seemed at home on the OFI ground, posting 167 for 5 in 25 overs. Freddy’s XI chased down the target with four wickets to spare in 23.4 overs. Prior to this match, the Forty Club had played against the Young Talents Cricket Academy (YTCA) Veterans and Emirates Sevens Academy during their UAE tour.

 

Shaking hands to cherish a good memory

Renowned cricketers-turned-coaches like Gopal Jasapara and Akbar Rana featured in Freddy’s XI. Freddy often opens the bowling with his gentle left-arm spin and also bats at the top. This time, however, he sportingly did not do both. He wanted to give the opportunity to all those whom he had invited to get the feel of playing at his ground. The shared motive of both teams was clear: to create beautiful memories through the game that would last a lifetime.

 

With three left-arm spinners Gopal Jasapara, Freddy Sidhwa and Akbar Rana who all have inspired budding cricketers 

Several unique moments occurred during and after the match. One unprecedented act that stood out was the planting of a tree on the ground to commemorate the occasion. This thoughtful gesture, initiated by Akbar Rana, served as a reminder of the importance of combating global warming and reducing carbon monoxide levels. Such acts could add value to matches and gatherings if adopted widely.

 

Mrs Freddy Sidhwa plants a tree 

At the post-match prize-giving ceremony, Freddy demonstrated his deep understanding of cricket’s essence by prioritizing the unsung heroes of the game. He honored the groundsmen, those preparing the evening’s hot snacks and food, and the umpires and scorers. Incidentally one of the umpires was Barry Aitken, Honorary General Secretary of the Forty Club. The club’s scorers Jo Holley and Sam Blacklock were the scores for this match. Holley is a renowned female scorer in the UK.

 

At the prize distribution ... from left Barry Aitken, Mrs and Mr Freddy Sidhwa, scorer Jo Holley, man of the match Majeed, Forty Club  organiser Hasan Jafri and Mazhar Khan

Freddy, who has played alongside cricketing legends annually at the Lord’s Cricket Ground for the JP Morgan International Cricket Cup over the past 11 years, has earned praise from many greats of the game. 

Freddy Sidhwa traps Brendon McCullum leg before in the 2016 edition of the JP Morgan International Cricket Cup at the Lord's Cricket ground. 

Sunil Gavaskar, in particular, holds Freddy in high regard. During the launch of his book Sunny G in September 2024, Gavaskar autographed a copy of this book to be presented to Freddy. Gavaskar wrote, “Freddie. You are an inspiration.”  Sunny G is a book presented by cricket enthusiast and businessman Shyam Bhatia along with journalist Debasish Dutta.

 

Freddy Sidhwa receives Sunny G autographed by Sunil Gavaskar.
Photo by Rizwan Ishfaq, who contributed t a match winning aggressive unbeaten 33 runs.  

It is these simple yet extraordinary matches that make Freddy a beloved figure in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts everywhere. His unwavering spirit is an enduring inspiration.