Rules and Regulations
These are the rules formed by the HCC(HAMAD CRICKET CLUB) committee and every individual is expected to abide by all these rules. Committee expects all the individual to know the rules before taking the field. No exceptions no matter what !!!
1. GENERAL
? 1.1 - The list of playing 11 must be finalized before the toss, & submitted to one of the two umpires.

? 1.2 - The toss will happen 15 minutes prior to the schedule time. The match will start at the schedule time sharp. Both the teams have to continue even if they do not have their listed 11 players present.

? 1.3 - To avoid any unfair advantage to latecomers, any player of either side who is not present within 15 minutes of the start time will not be allowed to take part in the game. The decision of the umpires will be final in this regard.

? 1.4 - We urge the players to involve in fair-play under all circumstances.

? 1.5 - Cones will be placed at regular intervals to mark boundaries, but the fielder's cooperation is highly recommended in close boundary calls.

? 1.6 - Fielder should not move in after taking a catch close to the boundary to avoid controversies.

? 1.7 - In case a fielder move inwards from the fence after taking a close boundary catch umpire can call it a six.

? 1.8 - Retired - If a batsman retires without the umpire's permission, he may only resume his innings with the opposing captain's permission.




? 1.9 - Retired hurt - If a batsman gets injured or ill while batting, he may retire and resume his batting at a later stage in the innings at the fall of a wicket or when another batsman retires hurt.

? 1.10 - If he takes the umpire's permission to leave, he is declared 'Retired - not out'.

2. UMPIRING
? 2.1 - The committee will take up the responsibility of setting up of the panel of umpires. The panel would be selected from a list of umpires sent in by the team captains.

? 2.2 - The decisions of the umpires would be final and binding. No dispute would be taken out of the ground to the organizing committee. Any concerns that a team may have should be recorded with the officiating umpires and he will in turn discuss the same with the Organizing Committee if needed. The Organizing Committee reserves the right to a final decision.

? 2.3 - In case of any dispute or conflict, only the Captains will be allowed to speak to the Umpires.

? 2.4 - The benefit of doubt in closes calls of a run-out or stumping goes to the batsmen. Umpires decision is final in any case.

? 2.5 - The Cricket rules would be followed except for the LBW rules.

? 2.6 - There will be no LBW.

? 2.7 - Scorers should not point out any ball count misses or any other mistake by the umpires (unless consulted by any of the two umpires). It is the responsibility of the two umpires in the middle.

? 2.8 - ONLY the Umpires of that match have the right to declare if a match cannot be continued. The batsman can only appeal if he thinks he cannot see the ball or appeal for other unplayable conditions but if the Umpire thinks otherwise and requests that play shall be continued, the match MUST be continued. If not, the team who doesn't want to play still will forfeit the match and declared to have lost the match.

? 2.9 - Also, if a team misbehaves on the field such as abuse a player/ umpire or indulge in any activities that may cause unnecessary problems, the Umpires have the right to STOP the match at any time and declare the Winners.

? 3.0 ? All kind of NO BALL have additional ball with FREEHIT.

3. AUDIENCE
? 3.1 - There will a designated place on the ground for each of the teams. The committee encourages the teams to invite their supporters to accompany them at these designated areas.

? 3.2 - Every player is advised not to react to any comments from the audience. The HCC committee will not assume responsibility for any problems or conflict situations that this may give rise to.

? 3.3 - The umpires will monitor player's conduct on the ground. The players shall not make any such gestures or comments on the ground on any umpiring decision, which may provoke the spectators. Any such act by the player will be considered as dissent and will attract penalty.

? 3.4 - HCC committee requests the spectators, supporters and players to watch their language and body gestures as there will be children and families around who have come to cheer and have a good time. Sure no one wants to disappoint them.

4. SCORING
? 4.1 - Scorecards will be maintained for every match by the playing teams? representative under supervision of a committee member.

? 4.2 - One member from both the playing teams will be involved in this activity.

? 4.3 - Scorecards (signed by the two captains) must be submitted to one of the two officiating umpires. It's the responsibility of the two captains to ensure the correctness of the scorecards along with names of their players, runs scored, wickets & catches taken by their team mates.

? 4.4 - The concerned umpire will then submit it to one of the organizing committee member for records.

? 4.5 - Once the scorecards are officially submitted and entered on the SOFTWARE, any requests to changes in the scorecard will not be entertained.

5. UMPIRING SCHEDULES
? 5.1 - Sincere thanks to the captains and umpires for their great response to be part of the umpiring panel.

? 5.2 - Umpiring schedules will be prepared along with the tournament schedules for the initial league matches and communicated to the umpires, captains and the committee. Similar schedules will be made as the tournament enters the subsequent rounds.


6. CODE OF CONDUCT / DISCIPLINE
? 6.1 - Everyone involved should follow the rules and regulations of appropriate conduct on the field.
? 6.2 - As far as the cricketing code of conduct is concerned; the teams are here to have fun and to sigh a bit of relief during the weekends. So we expect to see a sense of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Sledging is strictly prohibited. But the difference between encouraging one's own teammate and sledging can sometimes get unclear. Under such circumstances, the umpire will have the say in deciding what a tolerable limit is. If the umpires find things exceeding the limit, they might recommend expulsion of player(s) or disqualification of the team. The final decision will lie with the organizers.

? 6.3 - We encourage the participating teams to play in line with the laws and spirit of the game.

? 6.4 - We strongly discourage any physical or verbal (direct or implied) attack by a player(s) against: A) The umpire B) Other cricketers C) The stumps, ball or other cricket gear D) Spectators.

? 6.5 - Unruly and un-sportsman like behavior will not be tolerated. Guilty players will be ejected. If the player refuses to leave the field, the team will be penalized with forfeiture of the match. No substitutes will be allowed for the ejected player.

? 6.6 - Determination of what constitutes unruly or unsportsmanlike behavior will be based on the umpire and adjudicators combined opinion.

? 6.7 - Players abusing or threatening either umpires or opponent team members will be suspended for 1 or more matches.

? 6.8 - It?s the duty of the captain to maintain discipline and decorum on the field.

7. FIELDING RESTRICTION
? 7.1 ?No Fielding Restrictions.

8. ADDITIONAL RULES AND REGULATIONS
? 8.1 - Abusing and foul language is strictly prohibited. Penalty could result in a suspension for that match and next match, after a maximum of 2 warnings.

? 8.2 - If any fielder changes fielding position (e.g. moves to gully from Slips) after the bowler starts his run up, then the umpire can signal a ?No Ball?.

? 8.3 - The Leg umpire will declare a ?No Ball? if the bowler chucks the ball. It is not necessary for the batting team to appeal for chucking. This is solely the leg umpire?s decision and the appeal can be over ruled.

? 8.4 - One Bowler can bowl a maximum of 3 overs in a 15 over match and 4 overs in a 17 over match.

? 8.5 - New ball would be used in each innings. The organizing committee takes the responsibility of providing similar balls for a match, but the balls might vary (slightly) for different matches.

? 8.6 - If a batsman needs a runner, umpire should take a decision regarding it. The fielding captain does not have a part in the decision.

? 8.7 - Any fielder can be substituted by a player in the team list. The substitute will not be allowed to bat or bowl. The umpire should be notified of a fielder change.

? 8.8 - Innings is considered closed at the fall of any wicket of the last pair. The last man cannot bat alone.

? 8.9 - A team gets 2 points for a win.

? 8.10 - If the match is washed out, then both the teams get 1 point each.

? 8.11 - Please note that once a team member has been named as part of one team, he will be allowed to play for another team only if he has not yet played in any match.

? 8.12 - Teams will be allowed to replace players, during the tournament, but the Captain would need to inform and get an approval from the tournament organizing committee.

9. COMMON AND CONFUSING RULES CLARIFIED
? 9.1 - Any short-pitched ball, which passes or would have passed over the shoulder of the striker in his upright position, is a NO BALL.

? 9.2 - Any delivery, which passes or would have passed on the full above waist height of the striker standing upright at the crease is deemed dangerous and unfair. This is a NO BALL.

? 9.3 - The umpire shall ascertain whether the bowler intends to bowl right handed or left handed, over or round the wicket, and shall so inform the striker. It is unfair if the bowler fails to notify the umpire of a change in his mode of delivery. In this case the umpire shall call and signal No ball.

? 9.4 - One run will be added in case of Wide or No ball. If runs are taken of a wide or no-ball, these are ADDITIONAL to the 1 run and the ball will have to be re-bowled in either case.

? 9.5 - The bowler is permitted, before entering his delivery stride, to attempt to run out the non-striker. The ball shall not count in the over. The umpire shall call and signal Dead ball as soon as possible if the bowler fails in the attempt to run out the non-striker.

? 9.6 - Should a bowler deliver a no ball by overstepping the crease, his next delivery is designated a free-hit, from which the batsman can only be dismissed through a run-out.

? 9.7 - No changes in the field placement are permitted on a free-hit ball unless the batsman changed ends.

10. BAD WEATHER
? 10.1 - In case of bad weather during a league match the match will be replayed only if 3/4th of the match has not been in progress i.e more than a total of 22over's have been bowled (15 overs for the team batting first and a min of 7 over's for the team batting second . Even if the Team A, batting first is all out in 13 over's, it will be counted as 15 over's played by team A and the time gained by Team B due to the same will not be taken in to consideration).

? 10.2 - But the replayed match must be completed by the next weekend. If not then there will be no replay and point will be divided. There will be no exceptions to this rule whatsoever.

? 10.3 - If the match has to be re-played, it will NOT be continued from the state it was halted no matter what.

? 10.4 - If 3/4th of the match has been played i.e. it has been in progress for more than a total of 22 over's (15 over's by the team batting first and a min of 7 over's by the team batting second) and has to be stopped due to bad weather, the match result will be decided based on the run-rate.

? 10.5 - Example 1: Team A bats first and scores 80 all out in 14.2 overs. Team B starts chasing , and were 46 for 7 in 9.4 over's when the match is interrupted by heavy rain and there is no sign of continuing the match then Team A will be declared the winner based on higher run rate (Team A = 5.00, Team B = 4.7586). Fall of wickets will not be taken into consideration.

? 10.6 - Example 2: Team D bats first scoring 120 for 2 in 15over's. Team C is 108 for 9 after 14.1 over's when the match is interrupted by heavy rain and there is no sign of continuing the match then Team C will be declared the winner based on run rate (Team D = 7.5, Team C = 7.6235)

? 10.7 - The TWO UMPIRES on ground will make decision on continuing the match or abandoning it (i.e going for RR decision if 3/4th of the match is complete if not have a re-match during weekdays). If the two umpires have a conflict in opinion, the committee member who is not involved in any of the playing team or umpiring of the current match will make the final decision based on the ground playing condition.



11. ENTRY TO NEXT ROUND/POSITION
? 11.1 - In case the scores are level at the end of any game including the Semi-Final and Final, the match will be decided by a "Super Over". All matches will have a winner except if interrupted by weather or other unavoidable circumstances.

? 11.2 - "Super Over" will be used in HCC cricket match format when the match ends in a tie ( Scores are equal, irrespective of number of wickets fallen and number of overs faced). So, instead of equally dividing the points between participating teams, winner team of the "Super Over" takes all the points.

? 11.3 - Each team nominates a mini team of three batsmen and one bowler and they play a mini match of one over. Whoever wins this match of one over is declared the winner of the match.

? 11.4 - A "Super Over" is exactly like a normal full 20 over match except the fact that each mini team, gets to play only one over bowled by the designated bowler of the opposition team.

? 11.5 - If the points are tied at the end, the following order applies to decide entry to next as well as position:
End of League:
o 11.5.1 - Team with most number of wins against all the teams in the league.
o 11.5.2 - Net run rate of all matches against all teams.
o 11.5.3 - Toss of a coin.

12. PLAYOFFS FORMAT:
o 12.1 - The top 8 ranked (as per points & NRR) teams from the league phase will proceed to the next phase which is the QF1, QF2, QF3& QF4.

o 12.2 - This round consist of two Semi-Finals and a Final

o 12.3 - The First Semi-Final will be played between the top 1 &4 ranked teams from the league phase. The winner of this game reaches the Finals.

o 12.4 - The Second Semi-Final is played between the top 2&3 ranked teams from the league phase. The winner of this game reaches the Finals.

o 12.5 - Finals will be played between the winners of the two Semi-Final games.

13. DELAY IN GAME
o 13.1 - All players from both playing teams should be present at ground 30 minutes before scheduled start time.

o 13.2 - Both umpires should be present 30 minutes before scheduled start time.

o 13.3 - Toss should be done 15 minutes before scheduled start time.

o 13.4 - At the time of toss if any team has less than 7 players then opponent team qualifies to win the toss.

o 13.5 - If both teams have less than 7 players then QAR.100.00 fine to each team and reduction of overs.

o 13.6 - Game should start at scheduled time. Any delay in starting a game will subject to penalize.
13.6.1 - If for any team they have less than 7 players present at scheduled start time then there will be QAR.100.00 penalty.
13.6.2 - If there is a delay due to umpires then umpires respected team will be penalize.
13.6.3 - If game starts 30 minutes after scheduled time then in order to not affect next scheduled games, umpire will reduce 2 overs and it will be 13 overs game.

14. Instructions:
o 14.1 - No water is available on the ground.
o 14.2 - Please do not litter on the ground.
o 14.3 - Car-pooling is highly recommended.
15. Final Note:
o 15.1 - All teams and their players must abide by the rules and regulations of the Park they are playing in; like no alcoholic drinks, no public indecent exposure.

o 15.2 - The Tournament Committee reserves the right to amend the Rules at any time if it considers such action to be in the best interests of the competition.