Jan 16, 2015 – Final – 40 overs Main League-Season 2014-15 Albawardi lost to SATE Friends XI by 24 runs. SATE Friends XI - 299/8 in 40 overs. Albawardi CC - 276/9 in 40 overs. Top Performers – Parvez Khan, Shajeeulla Khan, Mahir Ullah, Mohammed Shoaib. The grand final was expected to go down the wire and thats exactly what happened when these two big teams collided in the finals. It was a fantastic match enjoyed by a good crowd of supporters for both the teams. The toss was won by SATE Friends XI and they opted to bat first. Albawardi’s bowlers bowled their heart out and tried to make early in-roads but were unsuccessful as Friends XI played defensively in the first 20 overs scoring just 126 but without losing any wicket. After the break, Friends XI launched counter-attack by playing big shots for the next 9 overs and were sailing at a good run-rate until Albawardi’s bowlers gripped back by removing wickets at crucial junctures and slowed down the run-rate. Parvez Khan topped the bowling figures with 8 overs/ 46 runs/ 3 wickets, which included the breakthrough wicket of opener Murad who was going berserk at one end. Other 2 breakthroughs were achieved by Arshad Mahmood who picked up the priced wicket of the centurion opener Hannan and no.3 batsman Gulam Mujtaba. Arshad’s figures were 3 overs/ 30 runs/ 2 wickets. The pacers Mahir Ullah and Mohammed Shoaib bowled furiously throughout the innings and were rewarded with a wicket each. The other bowlers weren’t so lucky to be amongst the wickets. Mahir Ullah contributed with a run-out too.Thus Albawardi restricted Friends XI on 299 for 8 at the end of 40 overs. It was a good comeback by the bowlers and fielders since at one time Friends XI were looking to score a mammoth total when they were going at a good run-rate. Albawardi started the batting with the in-form openers Baseer Irshad and Shajeeullah Khan. While Shajeeulla looked sober and stable, Irshad attacked from the first ball and was on a supreme hitting form before he top-edged a flick to square-leg fielder. He scored 20 from 16 balls. Shajeeulla was joined by Parvez Khan at no.3 and they both had a sensible partnership of 89 runs keeping a healthy run-rate. Shajeeulla made a run a ball 43 runs before he was bowled by a yorker delivery. Mahir Ullah Joined Parvez Khan and they both had an important partnership of 61 runs going into the 20 overs break with the score reading 132 for 2 in 20 0vers. Mahir Ullah played a risk-free innings until he was caught after the break on 42 runs from 39 balls. Yasir Mahmood coming in at Mahir’s wicket didn’t last long after scoring a quick 15 from 1 1 balls. The team’s anchor, Parvez was unfortunately judged run-out to a dubious decision on 66 runs from 75 balls. This brought Arshad Mahmood and Mohammed Shoaib together at the crease. They had a very vital partnership in the middle order with the score ticking as per the required rate until Arshad Mahmood was out on a run a ball 15 runs. However, Shoaib kept going and tried to take the team home until he was also out on a well-played 39 runs from just 25 balls. By then, the game was fast moving away from Albawardi’s grasp as the important wickets fell at crucial junctures. A run-rate of 9 per over was required in the last 5 overs for Albawardi to win the final. Friends XI saw a glimmer of hope to get back in the match as the set batsmen were back in the pavilion. Friends XI bowlers gave their all with excellent death bowling maintaining proper line and length and were rewarded as the new batsmen coming in could not score at will. Thus the match shifted in Friends XI’s favour in the last 5 overs and Albawardi lost the match with the score reading 276 for 9 in 40 overs. In this match there were excellent performances by many players but, Parvez Khan was adjuged Man of the Final for his superb all-round performance, first a crucial stand where he scored 66 runs and while bowling where he picked 3 important wickets. Though it was a heart-breaking result, Albawardi went down fighting till the last ball. The positives should be taken from this match and the entire tournament where Albawardi has performed to best of its abilities and emerged as one of the best teams in the first division. Thus, at the end of the season, Albawardi CC will be lifting the Runners-Up trophy for the First Division 40 overs Main League. Well Played Team ! “It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get up.”
Posted on: Sat, 24 Jan 2015 12:37:46 +0000
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