Sunday Cup: Semi-Final Round - Sunday, 22nd February 2004

Hornets v. Pakistan Association at Kowloon Cricket Club
Result: Hornets won by 76 runs

What can one say but terrific and totally deserved. What a pleasure for all of us to be part of the winning side and hopefully for the Club members and our supporters. As ever the game was won by a sound team performance and once again I cannot emphasis how important team spirit, self belief and down right “ticker” (heart shown) is.

Winning the toss was important as posting a score against the Pakistan Association is the way teams beat them. Mojo unfortunately failed with the bat - victim to an off-cutter from Khalid in the first over of the game. Not a good start, however as I explained to Mo, after leaving him alone for 20 minutes, he still was going to figure in the game with the ball and fielding. Once again Ravi and Rahul repaired the damage magnificently with Ravi the more aggressive of the pair. It was obvious to all of us watching that Rahul had set his sights on staying at the crease for the entire innings and while Ravi played some glorious flowing shots, he was happy to place the ball expertly. Khalid tried to play some chin music and was hooked by both batsman, he also bowled a lot of no balls and wides and was warned from running on the wicket. Not what you want from one of your potential National opening bowlers. We even saw a Ravi special, ie., scoop over the wicket keepers head which went for four. Najeeb entered the attack and finally achieved the breakthrough at 93 bowling Ravi with what was reported to have turned a considerable amount. 2 runs and 2 overs later the same bowler mirrored what the alleged comet/meterorite had some 63 million years ago (in the Jurassic epoch if anyone is interested) achieved by causing T Rex's extinction out LBW. Damian returning to the side was nearly out first ball missed by Nassir off again Najeeb, but survived and drinks were taken.

The General was in stern mood at drinks when I approached him, determined to play his role in the game, and got a life the very first over after drinks being dropped by Khalid off Ilyas at long on. There then followed the second good partnership of the innings with both Damian and Rahul mixing power with placement until Damian tried to hit the leg spinner once too often and was stumped at 169. By this time Najeeb had called back Khaild into the account who was still bowling no-balls, but got the important wicket of Rahul and then the Captain.   At 184 for 6 with 8 overs to go it was time again for the Zubby show this time ably supported by Roy Hamsandwinch. Roy had returned from Australia to play in the game and showed that his batting form was returning. He took a distinct liking to Khalid and played some great pulls and inspired back foot drives which accelerated the scoring at the right time. Zub's was doing his normal biff and bash show with the same Vampire bat he has employed during the Cup and in the end was last out trying to hit one into the middle of next week, however the 250 mark was passed.

Lunch was a short affair due to the overrun of the first innings and so there was little time to carry out any last minute planning. Imitaz came out firing and played two superb shots (one off the legs and a tracer bullet through point), until he was 'thought out' by Rahul and the Captain and was nicely taken at fly gully by Willow, much to the delight of the General. Nassir look solid enough after arriving at the crease but once again Zubair and Afzaal had done their job restricting the opposition to just over 3 runs an over for the first 10. Willow and Roychee replaced them and one of Roy's slower balls accounted for Nassir nicely taken by Ravi at mid-off.   In the same over Saikat fell also victim to another one of Roy's repertoire (this time a leg-cutter) and was taken well by the Skipper diving at extra-cover and again pointing his toes, 47 for 3. Iftikar joined Ilyas and came out firing smacking and lifting both Roy and Willow through and over mid-off and point, however with the introduction of Rahul he fell to another good catch by TR at extra-cover, much to the annoyance of Ilyas.  The last pair of recognised batsman were now at the crease needing exactly 170 runs in 27 overs. Najeeb was nearly bowled first ball but stayed around to put on 30 with Ilyas before being caught behind by the veteran off Mojo. Once again another tremendous display of keeping by Ray who, like his wine cellar, seems to get better with age. I know Ray muses about the chance he missed to play for Queensland in his younger days, but I can say for all of Hong Kong it was certainly our good luck as he has been an outstanding keeper at local and international level for a number of years.

Mojo also accounted for Hussain, LBW to one of his very slow balls (128 for 6) and was replaced by Afzaal in the hope of mopping up the tail. Distant hopes of a rival for the Pakistan Association came in the form of Ali and Ilyas who put on 38 for the 7th wicket but these were put out by Afzaal who claimed both of their wickets in quick succession. Afzaal in the end cleared up the last two wickets with Khalid taken by an excellent running catch by Mojo at long on at the start but long off at the finish.  A sound win for a great team who caught everything and did what all winning sides do "the simple things well" in a great team spirit.

It has been my personal pleasure and honour to Captain this side, which I can say without any doubt has been the best I have been involved with in my short period at the Club. I would like to thank all the players for their support and their heart and spirit shown, it has been truly inspirational. To Jenny thank you so much for scoring, you are a part of this win, to our supporters thank you for coming to the games, and lastly to Burji whose smile and calm exterior were always evident during this season - thanks mate from us all.       

- Jards

At Kowloon Cricket Club: KCC Hornets 258-9 (R Sharma 78, R Sujanani 48, Mohammad Zubair 38; Khalid Khan 10-1-69-4) beat Pakistan Association 182 (Ilyas Gul 52, Iftikhar Ahmed 32; Afzaal Haider 9-2-42-5) by 76 runs

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