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Resilient Arif (34*) guided Villa Park to victory against Lions |
Villa Park cruised to victory against Lions to secure top spot in Division I By Uzair Ali Villa Park CC strolled to victory against Lions CC at GH2, Uzair Ali (44(27), 3x4, 3x6), Arif Hockla (34*(40), 3x4) and Mujtaba Baqir (31(22), 5x4) all contributing as Lions’ score of 146 all out was overhauled with more than 9 overs to spare. It appeared Lions CC had a fighting chance after Anand Kumar (54(68), 6x4) and Moiez Khan (46(34), 5x4, 1x6) helped them to a workable total and after Moiez Khan’s swinging deliveries struck twice in quick succession to reduce VPCC to 18 for 3. Moiez had precious little support from the rest of the bowling attack, however, the partnerships between Uzair Ali and Arif Hockla (72 runs) fourth wicket and between Arif Hockla and Mujtaba Baqir (44 runs) for the fifth wicket to steer VPCC home. Lions were left chasing the game almost from the start as, VPCC opening duo, Haris Imtiaz (3-0-19-2) and Ahmad Bakhshi (6-0-35-2) rip through the top order to reduce Lions 3-25. Introduction of Hassan Bakhshi as a first change only managed to slip Lions further down to 42-4. It was left to Anand Kumar and Moiez Khan to get an increasingly rudderless innings back on track. They gritted out a fifth-wicket partnership worth 78, replete with snappy doubles and some boundaries with the help of quick outfield, that carried Lions to 120 before Moiez Khan was caught brilliantly by the day’s safest hand for VPCC Haris Imtiaz (3 catches) off of speedster Ahmad Bakhshi. That exposed the Lions lower order to the crease, while Anand reached his half-century. Soon after, Zeyad Imtiaz (4-0-21-3) and Hassan Baqir (2-0-5-2) finished off the tail in no time to claim Lions’ last 5 wickets for 26 runs. After a nervy start from VPCC (18 for 3), Captain, Uzair Ali and inform Arif Hockla started to catch up. Uzair Ali started off with the bang hitting his first six over long off on the 8th ball he faced. Arif keep rotating the strike smartly with quick singles and doubles and leaving all power hitting to his Captain. Soon, Uzair found his radar with two consecutive sixes from one Faisal over and with VPCC soon racing along at better than a-run-a-ball Lions began to wilt visibly in the field. Kashif Ahmed’s introduction quickly changed that, as he claimed the prize wicket of Uzair Ali and Hassan Bakhshi in the same over. Mujtaba Baqir started his innings aggressively hitting 5 classy fours in his innings, while Arif Hockla’s stubborn approach made sure no further damage is done in the wicket column. Mujtaba Baqir became Kashif Ahmed’s third victim when VPCC was only required 7 more to win. Arif made sure the game is over very next over when he dispatched two brilliantly executed straight drives to steer VPCC home in the 21st over. Arif Hockla was named MOM for his gleaming composure in the middle and being part of two major partnerships through out the chase. This victory also made Villa Park #1 seed in Division I. By Arsalan Ali Zeyad Imtiaz (3 wickets) led the rout against Lions after Ahmad Bakhshi (2 wickets) and Haris Imtiaz (2 wickets) broke the back of Lions batting in early part of the match. Lions were reduced to 42/4 before Anand Kumar (54 runs) and Moiez Khan (46 runs) anchored the Lions score to a respectable 146. Villa Park lost quick wickets of Zeyad Imtiaz, Saad Ali, and Haris Imtiaz as they were reduced to 18/3 before Uzair Ali counterattacked with a quick 44 off 27 balls. Arif Hockla 34* stepped up with Mujtaba Baqir (31 runs) to take Villa Park home with almost 10 overs remaining. This victory also made Villa Park #1 seed in Division I. |