In a one-sided affair at Rubislaw, Crescent delivered a clinical performance to dismantle 2s by nine wickets in the Grade 1 clash. This ensured Crescent stayed in grade 1 and 2s will play in Grade 2 next season, something that had been confirmed a number of weeks earlier. Grammar, batting first, were bundled out for a modest 153 in just 35.2 overs, with Crescent chasing down the target in only 19.3 overs, losing just one wicket in the process.
Grammar’s innings never really got going. After opting to bat first, they lost opener Nattrass early for 4, bowled by the lively Toor. Murray followed soon after, caught for 4 off Sharma, leaving Grammar reeling at 12/2.
A brief recovery came through Misbah Uddin and Nasseri, who added 45 runs for the third wicket. Misbah Uddin looked solid with 30 off 41 balls, while Nasseri contributed 21 off 38. However, once both fell in quick succession, the middle order crumbled under pressure.
Skipper Masood tried to anchor the innings with a patient 32 off 63 balls, but lacked support from the other end. The lower order offered little resistance, with only extras (33) providing significant contribution to the total. Crescent’s bowlers maintained tight lines and capitalized on the lack of intent from Grammar’s batters.
Crescent’s bowlers were relentless. Toor led the attack with figures of 3/29 from 8 overs, mixing pace and movement effectively. Ahmed chipped in with 2/28, while Tahseen also claimed two wickets, including the final one to wrap up the innings.
Crescent’s reply was emphatic. Openers Ali and Pereira laid the foundation with a 114-run stand. Ali played a steady hand, scoring 33 off 51 balls before falling to Abbasi. Pereira, however, was in sublime touch, smashing 67 off 60 balls with 13 boundaries, dominating the Grammar bowlers.
Sharma joined Pereira and finished the chase with a brisk 15 off 11 balls. The pair ensured Crescent crossed the finish line in under 20 overs.
Grammar’s bowlers failed to make an impact. The attack lacked penetration and discipline, conceding 41 extras including 19 wides and 14 byes. Abbasi was the only wicket-taker, dismissing S Ali for 33.
The rest of the bowlers were expensive and ineffective, allowing Crescent’s batters to score freely and comfortably.
Crescent’s dominance was evident in all departments. Their bowlers executed plans with precision, and their batters chased the target with ease. Grammar, on the other hand, will need to reassess their batting approach and improve their bowling discipline but will be far better suited to Grade 2 next season. It has been a tough year but there are positive signs for next season as 2s will look to bounce back
Grammar Innings – 153 all out (35.2 overs)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| M Nattrass | b A Toor | 4 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 26.67 |
| T Murray | c S Amirtharaj b S Sharma | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 133.33 |
| M Misbah Uddin | c S Amirtharaj b R Ahmed | 30 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 73.17 |
| M Nasseri | b R Shairzad | 21 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 55.26 |
| H Masood | lbw b V Ramalingam | 32 | 63 | 3 | 0 | 50.79 |
| A Saboor | c S Amirtharaj b R Ahmed | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 28.57 |
| M Kashif | c & b A Toor | 10 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 52.63 |
| QA Rafay | c S Amirtharaj b A Toor | 10 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 76.92 |
| M Ibrahimikhel | lbw b S Tahseen | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 42.86 |
| S Abbasi | not out | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 80.00 |
| T Navaid | c A Hamid b S Tahseen | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 |
| Extras | (b 2, lb 2, nb 1, w 28) | 33 | ||||
| Total | 153 all out (35.2 overs) |
Fall of Wickets:
7 (Nattrass), 12 (Murray), 57 (Nasseri), 77 (Misbah Uddin), 86 (Saboor), 119 (Kashif), 139 (Rafay), 147 (Ibrahimikhel), 152 (Masood), 153 (Navaid)
Bowling Figures – Crescent:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | NB | WD |
| A Toor | 8 | 1 | 29 | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| S Sharma | 8 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| R Shairzad | 5 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| R Ahmed | 8 | 0 | 28 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| S Tahseen | 4.2 | 0 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 11 |
| V Ramalingam | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Crescent Innings – 156/1 (19.3 overs)
| Batter | Dismissal | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | SR |
| S Ali | c M Nasseri b S Abbasi | 33 | 51 | 6 | 0 | 64.71 |
| A Pereira* | not out | 67 | 60 | 13 | 0 | 111.67 |
| S Sharma | not out | 15 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 136.36 |
| R Ahmed | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| S Amirtharaj† | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| A Arman | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| A Hamid | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| V Ramalingam | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| R Shairzad | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| S Tahseen | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| A Toor | did not bat | – | – | – | – | – |
| Extras | (b 14, lb 3, nb 5, w 19) | 41 | ||||
| Total | 156/1 (19.3 overs) |
Fall of wicket: 114 (S Ali)
Fall of Wicket:
114 (S Ali)
Bowling Figures – Grammar:
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | NB | WD |
| QA Rafay | 6 | 0 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| M Kashif | 5 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 11 |
| M Nasseri | 3 | 1 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| S Abbasi | 3 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| M Ibrahimikhel | 1.3 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| A Saboor | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
