Mumineen I Vs. Alliance @ Tamarac Sports Complex #7 - Game 1

It was a chilly morning at Tamarac as the first game of the season was underway. Mumineen I won the toss and decided to have a bat first. They were also seeking a comprehensive victory from when they were knocked out of the playoffs last season against Alliance in the semi-final. The openers Brian and Zaheer came in with a mindset to punish the bowlers early and that is exactly what they did. Brian was the culprit for attacking the Alliance bowlers early on. Mumineen I quickly put on 55/0 after 5 overs. Brian was caught and bowled by Naieem in the 6th over for a blitzing 36. Nazim was next in. Zaheer continued to bat well with Nazim and was later run out on a chance for a double. Altab was next in, but as he came in, Nazim was caught and bowled by Arkhan. Two deliveries later, Mumineen I captain, Aseef, was caught. 3 wickets falling in very quick time forced Mumineen I to slow the pace down. They were at 95/4 after 11 overs. Asif Adam was in next, as he and Altab built a partnership that put the innings back on its feet. Asif was undone trying to go over the top for 15. Altab led a vicious charge at the end along with Adam. All of the thunder was from Altab's bat though. Mumineen I scored 53/1 in their last 5 overs. They finished with an imposing total of 170/5 after their 20 overs.

Altab - 49*
Brian - 36
Zaheer - 29

Arkhan Ally - 3/18

Mumineen I came in with possibly the strongest bowling attack they've ever had. Alliance openers Naieem and Arkhan got off to a good start hitting wayward deliveries from Mumineen I opening bowler, Quadir :( This seemed to be the only blemish from the Mumineen I bowling. Nazim seemed to be untouchable against Alliance. Altab's first over caused the game to turn for Alliance for the worse. Arkhan was bowled by Altab 2 deliveries after hitting a 4 and then Saffie was caught brilliantly by a diving Quadir on the following delivery :) This pegged Alliance back. Asif and Zaheer entering the attack didn't help Alliances chances either as Syad was bowled by Zaheer and Naieem was gone a few overs later by Altab. Captain Aseef also decided to join the party as he bowled Tallim. He also took another wicket later on. Alliance never recovered and got a partnership going. They bat out their 20 overs and only managed to score 114/8 chasing a target of 171.

Naieem Abdool - 26

Altab - 3/18
Zaheer - 2/31
Aseef - 2/10

Mumineen I definitely looked like a different team than they were last season. The batting and bowling was phenomenal. The fielding was also on point. Mumineen I will definitely have their eyes on that championship once again. In other news, Nur ul Islam defeated Mumineen II with a top class innings from Vivian Khan, who scored a fantastic 77. He also cracked 9 sixes in his innings in what might be a record in the IJSCL. Unity defeated Muttaqeen in their first game. Muttaqeen was shorthanded with only 9 players. Kashwar Baksh was great in that game bowling figures of 3/15 and scoring 27 runs in a chase of only 68. Muttaqeen actually brought it down to the wire as Unity only won by 3 wickets.

Standings after Week 1

Mumineen I 1-0
Nur ul Islam 1-0
Unity 1-0
Mumineen II 0-1
Alliance 0-1
Muttaqeen 0-1

IJSCL 2011 Spring Season

We will be starting our new season in a week on February 13th. We have lost one team and gained one team. We lost Believers and gained Muttaqeen. 10 games are scheduled this season again. Good luck to all teams.