The NL Blues opened the season with an 8 wicket win over the Greens on a perfect day for cricket. The Greens struggled against a strong bowling attack, and on a wicket that initially played very low, improving throughout the day. Gurman and Asim were patient in difficult conditions, putting on 26 for the first wicket. Kathir made the breakthrough with his first ball, having Gurman caught at slip off a top-edge, and he proved to be the Blues best bowler, taking 2/13. Rajender (top scorer with 18) and KK battled hard to ensure a decent total of 112, several excellent shots being brought up short of deserved boundaries due to long grass. Extras proved to be productive, with the low bounce making things difficult for the keepers.
The Blues got off to a quick start despite losing Wasiq Waqar, run out by an excellent throw from Asim. Saad made 17 but was bowled by debutant Dave Monk. Kathir and Abbas however put together an excellent partnership of 87, Kathir reaching his 50 with the winning hit. Shameem was the best bowler in a losing cause, bowling his 4 overs for just 11 runs. The man of the match was an easy choice- Kathir.
In the second match, Kavish (27), Hummam (20) and Ali Dawood (33) took the Reds to 135/7. The Blues got off to a promising start but then a man-of-the match bowling performance from Rakesh Negi (5/24 including a hat-trick) had them all out for 100 from 15 overs.
Detailed scorecard- Greens-Blues
Red-Blue card follows:-
Team Red
Kranthi run out Abbas Haider 10
Rakesh Negi run out Nick Baxter 4
Kavish 27
Alpesh Patel 1
waqas c&b Manveer 4
Hummam – 20
Ali Dawood – 33
Talha – 12*
Eldho Paul 2*
Total – 135
Team Blue Batting
Wasiq Waqar run out Eldho Paul 5
Saad 20
Kathir c kranthi b ?? 1
Gihan b ? 12
Abbas c alpesh b negi 8
Irtiza (run out kranthi) 2
Nick Baxter not out 15
Surya -lbw b Negi 3
Abrar – b Negi 0
Manveer Singh b Negi 0
Neelav Diwan b Negi 0
Total – 100 all out in 15 overs
Team Red Bowling
Suhail 4-0-15-1
Ali Dawood – 2-0-13-1(5 wides 2 byes)
Kavish – 2-0-20-0 (10 wides)
Negi – 4-0-24-5 (7wides)
Hummam – 1-0-8-0 (1bye)
Talha – 1-0-9-0 (4 wides)
Eldho – 1-0-11-0 (3 wides)
Man of the match – R Negi (5 wickets including a hat-trick)
