On a bright, sunny and hot day, Long Island United Cricket Club (LIUCC) took on All Stars Cricket Club at Brentwood, in the 2015 Eastern American Cricket Association’s (EACA) 2015 season.
Anwar Kamal was brilliant against All Stars hitting 63 and picking 3 wickets for 12 runs.
Winning the toss and electing to bat LIUCC’s decision turned out to be a good one. Openers Ali Alvi and Asim Mehmood, started well, scoring at over six runs an over. The first wicket fell when Asim Mehmood top edged a short rising ball from Jakir Ahmed. Waqas Ashiq and Ali continued the pace, while setting up a good platform.
LIUCC lost their next wicket, that of Waqas Ashiq with a steady 37, and the score at 128 in the 21st over. Ali Alvi would fall in the very next over, also for a well-made 43. Ghulam Mustafa came in and scored a quick-fire 19, hitting two huge sixes over long-on, before mistiming another attempt for a six.
Anwar Kamal and Ishtiaq Khan occupied the crease for the majority of the remaining overs in the inning, scoring rapidly and picking off the boundaries at will. Both would end up making quick half centuries. Anwar would end the day on 63, with 12 fours, and Ishtiaq would end on 55 with 4 sixes and 4 fours. In the process, LIUCC would end the day with a huge total of 319 for 9 off 40 overs. Millon Ahmed was the pick of the bowlers for All Stars, picking up 3 wickets in 2 overs.
All Stars knew they had to bat aggressively to chase such a huge total. However, the loss of wickets at regular intervals and the failure to establish a solid partnership, would let All Stars down.
The only batsmen to show any resistance to the LIUCC’s bowlers, was Jakir Ahmed, who contributed a well-played 37. Anwar Kamal would return to bowling after a solid batting performance to take three wickets in his four over spell. Debutant Amer Kamal, brother of Anwar, also showed promise with the ball, picking up two wickets in his only over bowled. Other support in the area of bowling from LIUCC, came from Ghulam Mustafa with three wickets and Jalal Babruk with two wickets. All Stars were eventually bowled out for 119 in the 20th over.
LIUCC is now 4-1 in EACA’s second Division, and play Victory Cricket Club next Sunday at Brentwood.