Lions and Stars steal the show

Community cricket was at its best during the ongoing Cumberland Ford’s Indian Link Radio Cup. It was a close race between most of the teams in the competition, as the team finishing at the bottom of the round robin league was able to beat the team which will appear in the finals of the prestigious Cumberland Ford’s Indian link Radio Cup.

The semi-finals between the top four teams came to a face-off to grab the coveted two spots in the penultimate final of the series, and stamp their authority as the best and the champions of the community cricket series 2010-2011.

Favourites buckle under pressure

The four semi-finalists comprised of Afghani, Pakistani, and two Indian teams. In the first semi-final match, Vibrant Gujarat played against the NSW Afghanistan Lions. Minor champions Vibrant Gujarat who finished at the top during the league rounds couldn’t repeat the same feet when it mattered the most. The semi-finals against the NSW Afghanistan Lions.

The NSW Afghanistan Lions posted a score of 126/6 helped by solid knock of 35 runs by ex-Sydney grade player Puri who eventually got out on the bowling of Naren. In reply, the Minor Premiers Vibrant Gujarat, who was expected to win the game, buckled under the pressure of playing in the semi-finals. The Gujarat team could muster up only 107 all out, losing by 15 runs. The result was a big disappointment for the team who had proved to be very strong in the competition. Puri was adjudged Man of the Match. The jubilant NSW Afghanistan Lions went into the finals. Mammoth score secures win The second semi-final match was played between Chandigarh and Pakistan All Stars United.

The Pakistan All Star United boys looked determined and channelled their national team in playing the semi-final game. They got off to a blistering start and posted a mammoth score of 199 for 4, helped by a memorable knock of 117 runs by Nasir Jalil, who plays grade cricket for Campbelltown.

The Chandigarh team already has a promising record with two of their players scoring a century in the ongoing 20/20 competition; however, young lad from Chandigarh Shenty, who has the highest individual score of 156 runs in the Tournament, began his innings with a massive six, but failed to keep up the momentum and was out for 11 runs caught off the bowling of Taseed. Raman kept up the onslaught, but once again he was out caught off the bowling of Nasir with his individual score of 44 runs. That was the beginning of the end for the Chandigarh team, who just buckled under pressure and were all out for a dismal 119 in just 16 overs. Taseed claimed 3 wickets for 17 runs for his All Stars team. Nasir Jalil was adjudged Man of the Match for his knock of 117 runs. Pakistan All Stars proved to be stars, and went into the finals.

The showdown (listen live on Indian Link Radio)

The final between NSW Afghanistan Lions and Pakistan All Stars United will be played at Old Kings Oval on May 1 at 10am will be broadcasted live on www.indianlink.com.au. Awards for distinguished performance during this season will also be given to the players on the day. The community is welcome to come along and show their solidarity towards their local star players: this final will prove to be an exciting one.

Umpire John Boyles who stood as official umpire was bidden farewell as he leaves for England. He will rejoin community cricket in its next season after returning to Australia. Mohammad Talha who has also been the official umpire for the second year in a row, has been appointed as the official umpire for the final game.

Team of the week

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI Challengers) has been chosen as the team of the week. Full credit goes to captain Madan Gopal and all the members for the team for showing great maturity and always abiding by the Tournament’s philosophy of ‘No Sledging’.

The winter competition will start on May 21. Interested teams please call Sanjiv on 0433 669 334 for more information.