Main Umpire: Ron Knight Leg Umpire: Unknown Leg Umpire
Report
Saturday, August 21, 2004 in what would go down in the annals of
PCC history was a game played of epic proportions. Coming of an uplifting win
over GRCC last week in a show of controlled batting, today's display was the
exact opposite – the common denominator NOMAN MALIK, playing an important role
in both games.
PCC won the toss and sought to set a target for OCC, I doubt anybody planned a
record target at that point. PCC started of with a healthy runrate, the openers
Sanjay in particular was a man on a mission, scoring a quick 24 (9) before
falling to Samir attempting yet another six. Solomon joined Mani, the
partnership kept the scoreboard ticking but OCC were trying to get back into the
game with some controlled bowling. Soon Solomon perished to a catch at mid-on.
Bringing on Noman, playing the second drop spot for the first time.
Mani and Noman were scoring at a regular pace when Mani fell to Ninad. Ammar
joined Noman and both the batsmen enjoyed some quick runs bringing the PCC score
to a respectable 118/3 at the 20th over, when rain stopped play temporarily.
Both batsmen in an effort to capitalize on the solid start started to go after
the bowlers, Ammar after scoring a few quick runs was bowled by Ninad. Irfan
joined Noman and made his intentions clear in the fourth ball he faced, choosing
to deposit a round red object beyond the square leg fence.
PCC was at 129/ 4 at the end of the 22nd over, Noman playing on 49.
What happened afterwards was a fireworks display, the difference – Irfan, a
spectator. Noman tore into the bowling attack with no mercy, and making the
second 50 of 14 balls, reaching his maiden century in the 27 Over. The bowlers
were at a loss and so were the spectators as Noman connected for the maximum
again and again crossing his 50 and his 100 off of sixes. Irfan hit an Olympic
sized six that cleared the fence on the legside, he made a quick (!!) 41 before
getting runout in the last over, Noman however was still very much standing on
115, when the overs ran out. PCC's score 261/5 in 30 overs. The last 8 overs
costing OCC 132, the fifth wicket partnership was worth 129.
OCC facing an uphill task were never in the game, Kapil and Raju starting for
PCC were on target from ball one. The runs were coming in a trickle, when Puri
who had a couple of nicely timed boundaries was caught brilliantly by Raju at
mid-on diving head on and picking it up inches of the grass. Tanmay and Ninad
were bogged down by some strict bowling by Mahesh and Solomon, Tanmay managing
to score a huge six of Solomon. But the pressure proved too much as Tanmay
slashed at a Mahesh delivery caught brilliantly by Raju diving to his left this
time. Irfan's attempt at spin at the 15th over was fruitful bowling Ninad
through the gate. At the drinks, the major issue facing PCC was to beat the
storm clouds gathering over the ground and obtain a result. As PCC worked on
getting the next 10 overs in, in record time OCC showed some resistance in the
form of Harish, Omar and Rahul all three of them getting some hits to the fence,
Kapil picking off a couple of great catches did not help their cause. At the
30th over as Kapil bowled the last ball, the clouds awakened from their reverie
and retaliated with their own shower to the shower of sixes – 18 in all by PCC
courtesy Noman (9). What a century and what a downpour.
A decisive victory for PCC, who finish at the doorsteps of the playoffs – this
isn't over yet !!!
Man of the Match - Noman Malik
Thanks to OCC for a game played under good spirit.
Special thanks to Ron Knight for travelling from NC & officiating