The opening day of another cricket season started in a slightly odd manner as Grammar 1s and Grammar 2s squared off at Rubislaw, 2s nominally the home side. It is always a challenge to know with new players where they should start and after some discussion both sides lined up ready for a slightly unusual battle.
Agha Haider of course did not win the toss and his 1s were asked to bat. Prompt progress was made by openers Keith and Haider but 2 LBWs stalled progress as Kashif won awards against Keith (3) and Haider (20) as 1s slipped to 34 for 2. Hassaan skied Mailari to Murphy for 6, Nasseri (3) was bowled by the wily Ul-Hassnan and Noor quickly followed for 1 suffering a similar fate leaving 1s 66 for 5.
Swiergon had quietly played himself in and was joined by the ever dangerous Javaid who hit a a quickfire 20 from 13 balls in a stand of 42 but Murphy and Kashif combined to dismiss him as 1s slipped to 108 for 6. When Murray was Kashif’s 3rd LBW victim for a duck, 2s were well placed to claim a win with 1s 109 for 7. They had not reckoned for 3rd team skipper Aavash Upadhyaya who flipped all scripts and played superbly to hit 81 not out from just 63 balls with 8 fours and 4 sixes. He and Swiergon combined to add 68 with Swiergon making a crucial 66 from 78 with 12 fours before he was Ul-hassnan’s 3rd victim.
Prash again showed his all round prowess with a sensible unbeaten 19 as he and Aavash added another 83 unbeaten for the 9th wicket to lift 1st to an unassailable 260 for 8.
Facing a huge score, 1s knew if they kept 2s quiet early on that pressure would mount and good new ball spells from Hassaan and Prash kept 2s in check. Both claimed early wickets Naseem caught and bowled for 2 by Hassaan and Murphy snapped up at 2nd slip by Swiergon. Bedaar and Bashir showed some quality batting adding 76 but skipper Haider got Bedaar trying to force the score along and soon after Javaid had Bashir caught by Haider as 2s challenge slipped away.
Skipper Masood was caught by Aavash off Javaid and Kashif was stumped by Noor off Haider, while Suleman was caught off the wicket as Haider claimed a 3rd victim. The wickets continued as Ibrahimikhel was LBW to Haider and Ul-Hassnan was caught by Keith as Aavash nipped in with a wicket. Kamran was last to go as he miscued to Murray as Haider took a 4th closing out with 4 for 37.
Overall it was a good effort by both sides which should hopefully be the 1st building block for a successful seas
on for both sides.
Man of the Match
Aavash Upadhyaya for his excellent lower order innings.
