VCC3 vs. Sparta 2
Date: 27th Aug 23, Home ground 1
It is VCC’s pool strength that allowed us to pitch a team strong for the penultimate match despite significant number of VCC3 players being unavailable. We had 3 pairs of brothers in the team, the Butts, the Khawaja, Nissar & Jinko.
The start to Sunday was anything but sunny. It was almost reminiscent of the rainy day which led to rescheduling to today’s game. A no-result would have been very unfavorable in our quest for championship. Winning this match with a high run rate was important to maintain the led in the run-up to the finals.
Sparta won the toss and elected to bowl. While opening, Mohsen (63r/37b) and Tanveer (90r/70b) were at top of their game, displaying superb stroke play. They both ravaged through the opposition with 100 runs in about 8overs. Their spinners got the breakthroughs and applied break on our scoring. After Mohsen’s departure, Tanveer and Rohit (23r) got a 53-run partnership. It was unfortunate that Tanveer (90r) could get to his century with a super c&b by the bowler. With quick wickets of Tanveer, Jinko, Nissar and Ahsen, the once seeming score of 330+ started to look distant. Amrit(15r) has pulled the team out from such collapse in the past but this time it did not go our way. Pranav (25r) and Jr. Khawaja (20r) chipped in with very handy and important runs. Mr. Navjot Singh impressed with this innovative play with career best strike rate of 250 and his highest score (10*), many more to come and now a serious contender for higher batting spot. Final score 288/9 (40 overs).
Sparta team’s batting was no match except for some periodic good shots. The longtime friends, Amrit and Navjot opened the bowling after a long time, scalping a wicket each. Ahsen (2w) bowled superbly with this consistent toe-crushers, we will need more of those in the final. Pranav bowled well with the only maiden over of the match but remained wicketless.
Jr. and Sr. Khawaja colluded to end the show for the opposition skipper and skillful batsman. Jinko and Nissar kept-up the energy in the field. Haris found his rhythm from 2nd over onwards and ended with 3w. In the end, a comfortable win for VCC and still the pool leader. VCC3 won by 147runs.
Big thanks to Jinko and Nissar to make themselves available to play and keeping-up high energy levels on the field.
https://matchcentre.kncb.nl/match/134453-6558892/scorecard/?period=2181673