Strykers whites elected to bowl after winning the toss. The team responded to the Captain’s call by taking quick wickets at the start of the innings. Nauman Zahid got Prakash with a late inswinger in the first over and Pradeep got Vijay with a beautiful outswinger – Vidya holding on to a low diving catch at first slip. The good bowling effort continued and soon Rising stars were down to 28/4 in 11 overs with Pradeep picking one more this time with an inswinger and Noman getting one caught behind. After that, Rising stars stuck in firmly until the 20th, playing to survive with little intent to score runs. Sai finally getting another breakthrough in the 20th. With the scorecard reading 59/5 at the break, Strykers were firmly in command. The next half of the innings Rising stars provided resistance with Saurav continuing his blocking tactics, Jubin provided some lusty hits at the end of the innings to take the score to 145/9. Noman khan bowled an economical spell returning with 1/12 of his 8 over spell. The rest of the bowling card looked pretty – Pradeep (3/23), Sai (1/20), Shabbir(1/29), Nauman Zahid(1/32). Mubashir was as usual excellent behind the wickets picking up three catches. Vamsha making debut for Whites bowled a promising spell of pace bowling.
Strykers stuttered at the start of the chase with both openers (Muzaffar/Sai)in the hut with 7 runs on the board. Vidya and Ayaz added 30 runs and were out with the score at 35/4. Shabbir khan’s runout shortly with scorecard reading 37/5 in 13 overs signaled a collapse. However, Noman and Talha took the team to the break steadying the innings(56/5). Noman’s wicket fell shortly after the 20 over break and Mubashir joined Talha at the crease and started middling the ball immediately. Talha gained confidence as the innings progressed, singles turned to twos and soon balls were going out of the boundary line regularly. Two straight sixes by Mubashir were the highlight of the game with Talha supporting him with some equally good drives on both sides of the wicket. Both batsman steered the team to victory with individual scores of Talha(45 of 74 balls, 3 4’s and 1 6) and Mubashir(50 of 37 balls, 4 4’s and 3 6’s). It was exciting to watch both these batsmen take the team from 67/5 to winning the game, Ayaz provided fireworks from outside the field with his exuberant cheering to complete a very satisfying win.
