Scintilla and Waqar steam on

Emdad Rahman

Scintilla Cricket Club’s second XI recorded another resolute performance to despatch Walthamstow CC with ease at London Playing Fields in the latest round of Essex County Cricket League encounters.

Scintilla won the toss and elected to bat first. Waqar Ali was again the star as the Scintilla opener made mincemeat of the Walthamstow attack. In his second game, Ali notched 187 and was ably supported with an unbeaten half century from Ayaz Karim, 49 from Asheeq Ul Alam and 37 from Khizir Mohammad.

Walthamstow CC were all bowled out for 112 with captain Shaha Riadh taking 2 for 26, Syed Iftekhar 2 for 10, Andul Waheeb 2 for 17 and Asheequl Ul Alam 1 for 10. It was always going to be an uphill struggle and Scintilla CC won by a massive 290 runs. Shaha Riadh said: “Another excellent performance today. Ali’s near 200 to follow on from last week has added an extra impetus to the squad. It has helped raise our game.” Captain and half centurion Ayaz Karim had, merely hours before, returned from volunteering at the Commonwealth Games 2014. He added: “It was a pleasure playing with the team. The attitude is fresh and there is a spring in our step.” Waqar Ali was reflective: “Our opponents were not as easy as the scores show. The most important thing is we won the match. It’s satisfying that we did it so convincingly.”
•Scintilla’s first XI made it 9 wins in a row as Hawks CC were all bowled out for 102. Captain Faris Almas Lee Rosmanizam said: “We are entering a crucial period in our season and the theme is the same, to stay focused on our next opponents. There are no easy games and we must ensure we are fully prepared, both mentally and physically.” Club captain Ahmed Choudhury said: “The boys have been immense. We have taken 200 points. This is fantastic but we won’t rest easy just yet.”