Main Umpire: Azeem Leg Umpire: CCVT
Report:
This was a important game for both teams.
PCC were right on time and were ready for the game within 15 mins. CCVT empires
were on time too.
Saurin won the toss and elected to bat. ROCC had a shaky start this time with
Hiren falling to a mix up with Vishal. They added almost 70 runs for first
wicket in first 10 overs in the last game. This brought Ashutosh and both the
batsmen started playing some terrific cricket shots. Punishing anything that was
short, over pitched or even good lenght. Vishal was cleaned bowled by riaz at 70
something after a wild attempt to hit yet another six. After that ROCC kept up
the momentum but also kept on lossing wickets at very regular intervals. The
middle order collapse did not help. Atul used all his experience and provided a
pivotal inning in the later half. He not only didnt give away his wicket but
increased the momentum when it was needed. Talking about experience, I should
also mention how Zulfi "ran" through the middle order. This was a good
exhibition of extremely slow bowling but made lethal by experience, good
pitching, confidence of captain and right fielding setting an!
d good catching.
PCC were set a target of 149 which was not huge but was also a total to fight
for. Nimesh and Vijay bowled a good opening spell of fast bowling. They gave
away just 30 runs in first 8 overs but also got two important wickets. Then came
Harry and Vishal. Harry clean bowled Amar in very first over. Amar was looking
as if he was gonna get all the runs for PCC. This was a vital breakthrough. This
also created a lots of pressure on Sanjay who but now was playing cautiously and
may be he also got a little tired from the heat. ROCC bowled very tightly given
away very few singles, very few extras and very very few boundaries. At one
stage PCC needed only 30 from 30 balls and it looked as if they will be no
problem since Irfan, who by now was hitting ball at will and Mani who was well
set. Thats when the equation started turing. Dakshin stumped out Irfan at a
lightening speed off Ashutosh and this is to my mind a major turning point.
Vijay who was out for couple of overs for taking !
a nasty shot on his nose was called back. He bowled a couple of wides but proved
that he is a geniuine fast bowler by taking two wickets in two balls. ROCC was
on top and smelling victory although there were 2 wickets left and 8 runs from
12 balls. PCC at this time lost their cool and after adding just one run in
Ashu's over lost both wickets on successivel deliveries trying to loft it over
cover.
Few words of thanks
- To Dakshin for yet another show of sharp "reflexes" behind the wickets
- To out supporters - I dont want to name them because there were so many that I
am afraid that I will miss somebody's name - But thank you all for keeping the
spirits up
- and finally to empires from CCVT for officiating this tense game. You guys
handled the situation well especially when the heat was really on.
Guys we need to take this to our next game
MEN of the Match
Vishal 40 runs 6-21-01
Ashutosh 16 runs 6-01-31-03