7th December 2007
The importance of first 10 overs, whether you are bowling or batting, was quite evident in today's match. Also I am sure that the satisfaction levels would be quite high since it was one of those rare occassions when we won by ourselves and not because of our guest players.
Nisar, captaining the side in Wicky's absence, won the toss and decided to bat first. Nisar and Rizwan opened the innings and with a mixture of good batting, 9 fielders and some very helpful extras, they managed to keep the run rate at above 10 runs an over. The highlight of their opening stand was that they showed responsibility realizing not only the thinness of our batting order today but also the fact that they have to score at 9 runs per over. In the first 10 overs we were 92/2, with an opening partnership of 73 runs.
Rizwan was the first to go as he tried to flick a ball on the middle stump, missed it and was adjudged LBW. Samir Bhai went in next but couldn't last long as his flick to a ball down the leg side, produced a splendid diving effort from the wicket keeper. At that time we were facing an early exposition of our tail and required someone to block an end for a few overs. Adnan was ideal in this situation. Nisar batted brilliantly as he kept up the momentum and didn't allow the run rate to fall below 9 even when two successive wickets fell and Adnan took some time settling in and trying desperately to connect his flicks.
Nisar was stumped at a vital phase and cost us to forget about a 200+ score. In the end he batted responsibly scoring 55 runs off 32 balls with 7 boundaries.
Ahmed went in next with the mission to prove his critics (including me) wrong that he can bat for more than 3 overs without a runner :) He started off confidently, hitting boundaries at will. His towering six was a splendid sight. In the end he scored 34 runs with 4 boundaries and a six. Incidently from 20 balls which is roughly 3.2 overs ;) Anyways, if it wasn't for the confusion that resulted in his run out, I am sure he would have batted till the end.
Amir Bhai joined Ahmed as Adnan got out after scoring 23 runs off 27 balls having completed the crucial job of preserving an end to prevent wickets tumbling like a pack of cards.
Soon after Adnan departed Amir Bhai got involved in a mix up with Ahmed and came back in order to give Ahmed a chance to stay longer. The fielding team protested that Ahmed was run out instead of Amir Bhai and the umpires agreed and Amir Bhai was called back. Anyways Amir Bhai didn't hang about as well and much to the dismay of the fielding team scored 21 runs off 11 balls with 2 boundaries. Anees Bhai joined Amir Bhai after Ahmed departed and didn't manage to reach the high standards which he has set for the all the batsmen on the planet. He got out bowled after scoring 1 run from 2 balls.
I joined Amir Bhai and realized the importance of having not only a flick in one's batting armory but also loads of stamina. Running 2 runs creeps the energy out of you and when having to run 3 of those in a row you would wish to be in pavilion rather than being in the middle. But stamina it seems is not the absence of weakness but rather the realization of the fact that there is something more important than weakness. Ha ha ha don't raise your eye brows, I read it somewhere about courage and fear and made some minor changes.
In the end delaying tactics by the fielding team helped them as the match was reduced to 22 overs.
The score was 195 in 22 overs, which showed responsibility on the part of our batsmen and to some extent benefit derived from extras.
Anees Bhai and I started off the bowling. The attack burst was quite good as we didn't allow them to go above 5 runs per over. Bowling with the Pakistani ball is always great as the seams stays up and you are able to apply greater number of revolutions on the ball which are necessary for seam movement and bounce. Anees Bhai was unlucky as a straight forward caught behind was not given by the umpire. But he did manage to perform his role of an attacking fast bowler by not giving any boundaries. With some good keeping from Rizwan we ensured that no freebies were given to the batsmen. We did manage a run out in my over though. All in all the attack of the first 6 overs was quite important in keeping the opposition in check and not letting their batting get away with a flying start.
Nisar and Ahmed were the next change and they kept up the pressure on the batting team by taking wickets and not giving any free hits, though Ahmed's 3rd over was a bit expensive. Nisar took a wicket in his first over as Rizwan took a very good catch. In the first 10 overs we restricted them to 50/4
An interesting thing to share with you guys. Last time we faced this team, one of their batsmen got run out which he claimed was not out and another claim of his (it seemed that he had a claim bazaar) that if he was still in the crease he would have finished the match by now. I was amazed and asked him that would he have ran out his whole team to finish the match so quickly? He said that he would have chased 260 runs in 23 overs! Well today when he came to the crease and hit a long boundary off Nisar's bowling, he did look a bit dangerous since we didn't have the comfort of 260 runs. A boundary off Ahmed's bowling (after a dropped catch though) was alarming as well, but the way he was playing I knew he couldn't last long. Ahmed ensured that and in the very next ball he clean bowled him. A whole essay full of sledging material came to my mind but I saved it up from some other day.
Some very good bowling changes from Nisar ensured that the pressure remained on their batting and their bid for launching an onslaught, which might have been successful given that their opening batsman was still on the crease, was made more difficult.
In the end Samir Bhai, Shiva, Khurram and Imran bowled a few overs. Samir Bhai was his usual threatening self, while Shiva was a bit way ward in his line and gave away some extras by throwing wides down the leg side. Khurram was very unlucky as 2 chances were dropped off his bowling. Him and Junaid have yet to open their account of wickets mainly because of dropped catches.
Which brings me to the subject of dropped catches. In all there were around 9-11 dropped catches. The dropped catches were a mixture of various errors which we committed, which included most prominently,
1. Not looking at the ball till the last moment.
2. Not closing our hands when the ball hits the palm. (I did this and that too off my own bowling).
3. Being scared of the ball and moving back.
The ground fielding was good and we managed about 2 run outs and stopped some boundaries. But over throws were inexcuseable. Over throws usually result when there is no proper backing up. The fielder responsible for backing up should immediately align himself with the throw as if there is no keeper or bowler standing.
In the end it was a well deserved win as we played intelligently and most importantly things went as per plan. A round of applause for Nisar for a win in his first match as captain. Hopefully we would keep the intensity and the attendance :) to win this cup.
Batting ScoreCard
Nisar: 55(32) 7x4 0x6
Rizwan 15(11) 1x4 0x6
Samir: 1(2) 0x4 0x6
Adnan 23(27) 0x4 0x6
Ahmed: 34(2) 4x4 1x6
Amir: 21(11) 2x4 0x6
Anees: 1(2) 0x4 0x6
Amad: 4(?) 0x4 0x6
Bowling ScoreCard (unofficial)
Anees 0 Wickets
Amad 1 Wicket
Nisar 2 Wicket
Ahmed 1 Wicket
Samir 1 Wicket
Shiva 0 Wicket
Khurram 0 Wickets
Imran 0 Wickets
Kindly correct the bowling since I am sure I might have missed out a few here and there.
Nisar, captaining the side in Wicky's absence, won the toss and decided to bat first. Nisar and Rizwan opened the innings and with a mixture of good batting, 9 fielders and some very helpful extras, they managed to keep the run rate at above 10 runs an over. The highlight of their opening stand was that they showed responsibility realizing not only the thinness of our batting order today but also the fact that they have to score at 9 runs per over. In the first 10 overs we were 92/2, with an opening partnership of 73 runs.
Rizwan was the first to go as he tried to flick a ball on the middle stump, missed it and was adjudged LBW. Samir Bhai went in next but couldn't last long as his flick to a ball down the leg side, produced a splendid diving effort from the wicket keeper. At that time we were facing an early exposition of our tail and required someone to block an end for a few overs. Adnan was ideal in this situation. Nisar batted brilliantly as he kept up the momentum and didn't allow the run rate to fall below 9 even when two successive wickets fell and Adnan took some time settling in and trying desperately to connect his flicks.
Nisar was stumped at a vital phase and cost us to forget about a 200+ score. In the end he batted responsibly scoring 55 runs off 32 balls with 7 boundaries.
Ahmed went in next with the mission to prove his critics (including me) wrong that he can bat for more than 3 overs without a runner :) He started off confidently, hitting boundaries at will. His towering six was a splendid sight. In the end he scored 34 runs with 4 boundaries and a six. Incidently from 20 balls which is roughly 3.2 overs ;) Anyways, if it wasn't for the confusion that resulted in his run out, I am sure he would have batted till the end.
Amir Bhai joined Ahmed as Adnan got out after scoring 23 runs off 27 balls having completed the crucial job of preserving an end to prevent wickets tumbling like a pack of cards.
Soon after Adnan departed Amir Bhai got involved in a mix up with Ahmed and came back in order to give Ahmed a chance to stay longer. The fielding team protested that Ahmed was run out instead of Amir Bhai and the umpires agreed and Amir Bhai was called back. Anyways Amir Bhai didn't hang about as well and much to the dismay of the fielding team scored 21 runs off 11 balls with 2 boundaries. Anees Bhai joined Amir Bhai after Ahmed departed and didn't manage to reach the high standards which he has set for the all the batsmen on the planet. He got out bowled after scoring 1 run from 2 balls.
I joined Amir Bhai and realized the importance of having not only a flick in one's batting armory but also loads of stamina. Running 2 runs creeps the energy out of you and when having to run 3 of those in a row you would wish to be in pavilion rather than being in the middle. But stamina it seems is not the absence of weakness but rather the realization of the fact that there is something more important than weakness. Ha ha ha don't raise your eye brows, I read it somewhere about courage and fear and made some minor changes.
In the end delaying tactics by the fielding team helped them as the match was reduced to 22 overs.
The score was 195 in 22 overs, which showed responsibility on the part of our batsmen and to some extent benefit derived from extras.
Anees Bhai and I started off the bowling. The attack burst was quite good as we didn't allow them to go above 5 runs per over. Bowling with the Pakistani ball is always great as the seams stays up and you are able to apply greater number of revolutions on the ball which are necessary for seam movement and bounce. Anees Bhai was unlucky as a straight forward caught behind was not given by the umpire. But he did manage to perform his role of an attacking fast bowler by not giving any boundaries. With some good keeping from Rizwan we ensured that no freebies were given to the batsmen. We did manage a run out in my over though. All in all the attack of the first 6 overs was quite important in keeping the opposition in check and not letting their batting get away with a flying start.
Nisar and Ahmed were the next change and they kept up the pressure on the batting team by taking wickets and not giving any free hits, though Ahmed's 3rd over was a bit expensive. Nisar took a wicket in his first over as Rizwan took a very good catch. In the first 10 overs we restricted them to 50/4
An interesting thing to share with you guys. Last time we faced this team, one of their batsmen got run out which he claimed was not out and another claim of his (it seemed that he had a claim bazaar) that if he was still in the crease he would have finished the match by now. I was amazed and asked him that would he have ran out his whole team to finish the match so quickly? He said that he would have chased 260 runs in 23 overs! Well today when he came to the crease and hit a long boundary off Nisar's bowling, he did look a bit dangerous since we didn't have the comfort of 260 runs. A boundary off Ahmed's bowling (after a dropped catch though) was alarming as well, but the way he was playing I knew he couldn't last long. Ahmed ensured that and in the very next ball he clean bowled him. A whole essay full of sledging material came to my mind but I saved it up from some other day.
Some very good bowling changes from Nisar ensured that the pressure remained on their batting and their bid for launching an onslaught, which might have been successful given that their opening batsman was still on the crease, was made more difficult.
In the end Samir Bhai, Shiva, Khurram and Imran bowled a few overs. Samir Bhai was his usual threatening self, while Shiva was a bit way ward in his line and gave away some extras by throwing wides down the leg side. Khurram was very unlucky as 2 chances were dropped off his bowling. Him and Junaid have yet to open their account of wickets mainly because of dropped catches.
Which brings me to the subject of dropped catches. In all there were around 9-11 dropped catches. The dropped catches were a mixture of various errors which we committed, which included most prominently,
1. Not looking at the ball till the last moment.
2. Not closing our hands when the ball hits the palm. (I did this and that too off my own bowling).
3. Being scared of the ball and moving back.
The ground fielding was good and we managed about 2 run outs and stopped some boundaries. But over throws were inexcuseable. Over throws usually result when there is no proper backing up. The fielder responsible for backing up should immediately align himself with the throw as if there is no keeper or bowler standing.
In the end it was a well deserved win as we played intelligently and most importantly things went as per plan. A round of applause for Nisar for a win in his first match as captain. Hopefully we would keep the intensity and the attendance :) to win this cup.
Batting ScoreCard
Nisar: 55(32) 7x4 0x6
Rizwan 15(11) 1x4 0x6
Samir: 1(2) 0x4 0x6
Adnan 23(27) 0x4 0x6
Ahmed: 34(2) 4x4 1x6
Amir: 21(11) 2x4 0x6
Anees: 1(2) 0x4 0x6
Amad: 4(?) 0x4 0x6
Bowling ScoreCard (unofficial)
Anees 0 Wickets
Amad 1 Wicket
Nisar 2 Wicket
Ahmed 1 Wicket
Samir 1 Wicket
Shiva 0 Wicket
Khurram 0 Wickets
Imran 0 Wickets
Kindly correct the bowling since I am sure I might have missed out a few here and there.
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