Played at Lower Bury Lane, Epping
Report by Steve Hamilton
Finally we kicked off our season! Though it was amazing that we played at all, given the continuous drizzle from a gloomy and cloudy sky. But the unpromising weather was not going to dampen our players’ determination.
I won the toss and decided to bat on a surprisingly satisfactory wicket, despite the wet conditions.
All our batsman made it to double figures. We laid down the early foundations with an solid opening stand of 78 before Asad Mushtaq departed for 31. Talal Ali battered the ball mercilessly for a quick fire 41, including two sixes and four fours, with one almighty shot over cow corner.
Old Fallopians legend Azaz Khalil made a welcome return and didn't disappoint. He played some dazzling strokes, including one delightful shot through cover for four. He went on to make a well deserved half century with eight fours.
Jakaria Ahmed scored freely for a rapid 22.
The much improved Anas Muhammad, fresh from the Pakistan Academy, showed what he had gained from that experience. He shined like a diamond with some classic high-elbow textbook drives. He was unfortunate to be run out for 44 as he was definitely in his stride and was set for a half century.
Another OF veteran Jonathan Stebbins didn't disappoint either. He looked at ease for a valuable 23 not out including three fours. Meanwhile, the big-hitting Mo Junaid took a back seat, coming in at number seven and scoring a no-nonsense 20 not out including one six and two fours.
At the halfway stage we had reached a formidable 272 for 5 off 35 overs.
At last it was time for tea – another first for the season! Epping provided a scrumptious spread, laden with sandwiches, samosas, fruit and cakes. It certainly hit the spot!
After being fulsomely nourished, we were ready for some target practice!
Talal Ali, last year’s top wicket-taker, continued where he left off, taking three early wickets. He clean bowled Polok and Raid for one and a duck respectively. He followed these up with the big wicket of young gun Stan for 18 who scored a winning century
back in our encounter in 2020.
Talal’s delivery was a well-disguised slower ball that bamboozled Stan into playing his shot too early. He top-edged the ball to the extra cover area and from nowhere appeared Stebbins, dashing in from point in a flash, showing all the athleticism of a youth half his age. The no-nonsense Australian managed to take a spectacular catch on his knees and Talal finished off with match winning figures of 5-0-18-3.
Syed Shah bowled a magnificent spell for a measly 6-2-8-0, despite nursing a slight injury.
At 22 for 3 we were already in near control when Stebbins followed up his batting and catching performance by taking two wickets and clean bowling Hasan for 39 and Sri for 16. He finished with excellent figures of 5-0-14-2.
Subhan Aftab finished with superb figures of 4-0-16-3, testimony to a renewed confidence and a development in his bowling, as destroyed the lower batsman in metronomic succession.
Debutant Harith Ali rounded off a perfect day for the Fallopians with the final wicket, after showing great agility and alertness in the field. He removed Sayem after he smashed a delivery straight to mid-off where Talal Ali took the catch effortlessly and with that sealed our victory by 172 runs!
Full scorecard below photos
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Gloomy conditions: Old Fallopians leave the
field at the end of their innings
Photo: Steve Hamilton |
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In the box: Azaz and Subhan check the scores
Photo: Steve Hamilton |
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Extra cover: Players fortify themselves with a
proper tea
Photo: Steve Hamilton |
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How is it? The teams enjoy the comforts of the
clubhouse
Photo: Steve Hamilton |
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