Emdad Rahman
The latest Essex County Cricket League clash saw Ace Cricket Club host Scintilla CC at the Low Hall Sports Ground, Leyton. The home team won the toss and batted first.
The game opened with a Scintilla blitz which saw a complete collapse of the Ace batting order as seven wickets fell for 97. Toufik Billah followed up his fine National Cricket League form from the previous weekend with a call up to the first team. The newcomer rewarded the faith shown by taking three wickets. He was supported by Sajal Rahman (2), Ishaq Shawn (2), Aaman Khan (1), Jubel Ahmed (1).
What seemed routine then became difficult, as Ace simply refused to veer out of the path of the Scintilla juggernaut. Number 8 Ace batsman Shabbir showed wonderful technique and nerves of steel to steady his side with a fantastic knock of 103. It seemed Shabbir had singlehandedly snatched victory from the jaws of defeat in an astonishing stand with with Ubaid and Zamir Shah. The Ace man’s star performance had not only ruffled the away side but left the home team poised for a momentous win.
Scintilla came out after tea and a cagey first hour saw a clutch of easy wickets fall. Opener Aminul Islam Shihan steadied with an innings lasting 30 runs before he was caught out. Scintilla rallied, and thereafter followed a match winning fifth wicket partnership of 115 between Juwel Roy and Ashfaqur Rahaman Nobel, who struck a quick fire 33, before club captain Ahmed Choudhury (13 not out) partnered Roy to strike home the winning run.
Choudhury said: “The boys played with plenty of zip throughout, even though there were plenty moments when heads could have dropped. This is a talented team and if we can be consistent we can achieve much good this season.”
Man of the match Juwel Roy finished 65 not out. The Scintilla number five was full of admiration for the team: “I’m fortunate to have many leaders around me to help. The likes of Ayaz Karim, Sajal Rahman and Aaman Khan have been a great help and their experience and advice has been invaluable. I’m pleased with my performance but that aside I’m more than happy with the contribution from our whole team.”
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