The coin was tossed and when it finally rested on the pitch, Wasif was grinning from cheek to cheek. After a quick discussion with all his mates, MCC chose to bat first. Right then, to open the innings for MCC it was Wasif and Marlin. While Blessy put Krunal and Ashok in charge of disrupting MCC’s top order. As we all know SCCA has an excellent array of allrounders capable of bowling sensible and economical spells. There was plenty of dew on the ground, however the pitch was perfect for batting.

The first over was a mere glimpse of things to come for the “Mighty” Khawaja and Marlin “The Blade”. Wasif started the proceedings with a thunderous boundary and Marlin soon joined the run feast. Before you knew it the fielders was kept busy fetching the ball from across the boundary repeatedly. I suppose the only silver lining for SCCA’s fielders was they got a chance to warm up and plenty of exercise. Indeed if they hadn’t taken the opportunity to do so prior to the start. In any event, Blessy had seen enough and looked to get relief quicker than Wall Street. Thus, Aashish was brought in to continue with Ashok.

As the opening salvo continued, thanks to Wasif and Marlin’s brilliance. Who mixed their shots with brute force, impeccable timing and intelligent running between the wickets, much to the chagrin of SCCA and their captain. Ashok and Aashish continued to toil yet stayed focused, beating the batsmen on a few occasions. Ashok, who had slowly but surely found the right line/length and finally joy!

Marlin struck a powerful straight drive straight toward the fence, only to find Sanjay take a good catch, within inches of the boundary line. Folks, it was a wonderful partnership, and it would prove to be the impetus of the grand total to be had by MCC. In came Aamir Choudrey, who I believe technically to be the best batsmen in the league as well as aesthetically pleasing to watch. Ala, Mohd. Yousuf. Aamir certainly did not disappoint. Wasif wanted to ensure that the momentum would continue as Aamir played himself in, all the while building another solid platform/partnership. Blessy continued to look for the right bowling and field combinations. Rotating Sudhir, Zeeshan, himself and of course Hiren. Sanity was restored as a result of tidy bowling and good fielding. With the exception of few dropped chances, which were certainly costly for SCCA. The scorer however, continued to stay busy. Hiren finally showed up for the party by having Wasif gloving it straight to the keeper. Wasif showed the proper respect and walked. An amazing and vital as well as a memorable innings had finally come to an end. Much to SCCA’s delight as they had really worked hard to stem the flow of runs. Glennie then joined Aamir, as Aamir had quietly but most assuredly

marched on to his fifty with elegant drives, paddle sweeps, placement and panache. Glennie was of course

looking to give MCC the extra burst, yet after after striking a powerful boundary, the same would not occur and a miscue found the safe hands of Ashok off the bowling of Krunal. In came Qaiser “QT/Quick Trip”.

In addition, Aamir had begun to suffer some sort of ailment a while back, perhaps cramps, etc. was beginning to tire and slow down. Thus he decided to give it a final push (not to be confused with a trip to the Gynecologist), Oh no! You don’t Sudhir thought, and bowled a delivery with a bit of extra mustard on it. SCCA had gotten a crucial breakthrough once again. Now for all of you who were not fortunate enough to make to the game, this was the situation at hand. SCCA had fought back nicely, MCC had wickets in hand, and the score at the 25th over was something like 144 for 4… OK! What happened next was to be the final stand/push depending on your support. Qaiser had already managed to play himself in with a couple of beautifully timed drives, yet no maximums. However, QT’s gotta do what QT’s gotta do. What happened next was shear majesty! Not only was ball zooming/flying through the boundary, you needed a tape measure to estimate the distance. We swear that was not Afridi disguised as Qaiser. All the while as Qaiser flayed the bowling, Sudhir kept things tight to the “other” batsmen. Getting Donald to fly out, then striking Cedrick out in quick succession… Plumb in front of the wicket. MCC is fortunate to have a long

and able batting line up. Capable of countering any situation/circumstances. Thus Walton was sent in to continue the power surge, as well as to support Qaiser. “Waltie” obliged as Qaiser continued to fire on all cylinders, in a span of 5/6 overs the pair had added close to 75 runs! The proceedings came to an end with another maximum… A mammoth, moon shot! Clearing the longest boundary by miles, as even the fielders admired Qaisers strength and timing.

At the end of 35 overs, MCC’s score card read 256/6… MCC had accelerated at close to 10.5 runs/over in the last 10 overs. You had to be there to admire the shear brilliance of the overall run acceleration.

Well folks, would it be enough? That was the question. On a featherbed of a pitch, could the MCC bowlers

Curtail/contain one of the best and smartest batting lineups in the league? Could MCC thwart SCCA’s 12 GAME WIN STREAK? Could a team label as the “underdog” all playoff long, accomplish the almost impossible and an unheard task of winning four consecutive playoff matches in a row ON THE ROAD? From Roanoke, Va. to Raleigh, NC, to Highpoint, NC to Gastonia, NC. In any event the winner was surely going to come from the strongest and most competitive zone in the league. “The South Zone” which should be proud of placing Five teams in the playoffs. Moreover, having three in the semi finals and Five in the quarter finals! Kudos to all you for that accomplishment.

SCCA’s chase for the glory was going to start with Mr. Sanjay Patel and Mr. Ashok Singh.

Wasif stuck to the same playoff formula & combo of Qaiser “ Quick Trip/QT” and Walton the magnificent. You had to know SCCA was going to come out focused and look to attack from the get go. With this in mind, Qaiser started off a magnificent over by allowing just a couple. Walton was on song right from the word go, tying the batsmen down with pace and accuracy. The bowlers had built the pressure up, as the batsmen were looking to get going. Sanjay took the initiative and struck a magnificent square cut for four to open the account. You knew this fella was style and substance! Ashok on the other hand was having a tougher time. Walton stuck to his line and struck gold almost immediately. Having Ashok caught sharply by Donald at short (real short) mid wicket of a pull that was more of a miscue and wasn’t timed nor placed.

After Five overs SCCA were struggling at 1/15. In came Mr. Krunal Patel, who decided to put the sword to the bowlers. One particular stroke comes to mind a magnificent extra cover laser of a drive for four. Few more would be carved later on. However, there came a moment/ turning point that seemed to change the

Attitudes and luck for both teams. Sanjay, while still in the teens, improvising to create his own length, gave the simplest of chances in the gully region. Things were moving in slow motion and Yikes! The catch had been dropped! Could that cost MCC the momentum and the championship. That was a Steve Waugh/Herschell Gibbs momemt, circa 1999 world cup. Boy did Sanjay take full advantage of the reprieve. From that point forward, one saw some of the best, the guttsiest and creative batting in ages.

While Krunal was carving the bowlers up to all parts, just as if it was Thanks Giving. Wasif had to make a change and reached out to on of his many options and opted for the ever-reliable Marlin. SCCA were playing like “butter”…. Cause they were on a “roll”… Wasif could not find a “knife”/bowler hot enough to cut through this partnership. There came a point where not only SCCA had caught up to the run rate, but passed it by a whisker! The MCC bowlers were getting a taste of their own medicine. Shibraz “the young lion” was not used to such treatment either. Marlin with all his experience kept at it and made crucial field changes to counter the charge. As luck would have it Krunal, going great guns was taken brilliantly at the point boundary, just as Marlin had placed him for such an opportunity. Krunal was in shock, instead of a certain boundary he had perished. After the break, Abhi Patel had been sent in to maintain the pressure and continue the march toward 257! Abhi had settled in with nicely and supported Sanjay. In the mean time Wasif had contemplated some changes and decided to bring Amman Qureshi into the attack. A. Qureshi, capable of bowling lovely seam/swing or assorted varieties of wrist spin. He chose the latter option. His first over would “just” cost six singles. Marlin would try to curtail Sanjay’s Barrage of pulls and cuts. Amman’s second over would quite eventful. The line read something like this 2,6,nb (6). At that point, Amman decided to Forget about his nagging groin injury (bothered him all season long) and give it all he had while bowling his bread and butter, the deadliest of inswingers!. Low and behold did that help against Abhi? Nope! Fifth ball of the over went for a glorious four. Now it was “balls to the wall” the last ball would surely his last ball of the season.. Not! Abhi, going for another maximum was taken beautifully by Wasif at the mid wicket boundary. Wasif immediately decided to bring himself into the attack. In came Sachin, Sanjay had severe leg cramps and had to be helped off the field, thus Sachin was Aashish were asked to march on. Wasif was bowling a lovely line, immediately sending the run rate upward. Wasif almost immediately Broke SCCA’s momentum by bowling Sachin. In came Blessy, a man with all the experience and the look of champion. Amman was given the ball and confidence by his skipper to continue with the job. He obliged By bowling with impeccable line/length while seaming and swing the ball considerably. All the while the run rate had climbed. Wasif struck again, having Z. Rizvi caught behind. Blessy was feeling the pinch. As Amman had made a remarkable comeback and had allowed only a single each of previous overs. Blessy got a outswinger he tried to pull. Pull he did, sky high, Amman called for it and took a smart catch of his own bowling. Now it was SCCA who were up against it. In came Sudhir, he too was caught off Amman at long off by Waltie. Sanjay, braved the elements and decided to came back out to guide his team to a most remarkable chase, he kept the scoreborad ticking all the while Wasif and Amman had completely shut down the flow runs. Bowling according to their field. Amman finished off his spell by bowling Aashish. Folks after giving up 23 runs off of his first eleven deliveries, Amman only gave up Seven runs off the next Thirty one deliveries and in process snapped up Four vital wickets. Wasif finished his fine spell of Seven overs 36 runs and bagging 3 wickets. Qaiser took the last wicket as Sanjay “brave heart” remained unbeaten on 63. The champion was ours. The goal was reached and the hard work/determination paid off for the boys. For MCC it was such a through team effort not just this game, but all season long… Wasif lead from the front, Walton and Qaiser provided the starts in the bowling dept for the others to do their thing. The fielding, Oh the fielding, Shabeeb Bhai for his input, concentration and detemination. Riz, Shibraz, Amman, Walton, Glennie, Marlin and The “Don” in the slips, Mani for his hustle, Aamir for his calmness and Cedrick with his sticktuitveness. Last but not least, Kisha for her enthusiasim, support and organization.MCC, We did it! We did it! Against all odds we did it!

Goooooooo MCC! You are the MACC Champions for 2008. Be proud, Be humble and enjoy being champs and go for it again.

All things considered One final note… MCC contributed and helped MACC to win it's first Regional Tournament by having some of it’s best players make big contributions while playing the tournament. Wasif MOM for the first game, Qasir MOM and MVP for his all round performance for the tournament. Shibraz for his fearless bowling and Walton for his contribution by taking 4 wickets in the last game.

History was also made when Wasif and Qasir played from 2 different teams back to back and helped their teams to win the championships. Wasif was declared MOM for Finals back to back 2 years in a row and became the first player to win Best batsman, Best fielder and led his team to win the championship.

Sincerely Amman Q.