Mumineen I Vs. Nur ul Islam @ Tamarac Sports Complex #7 - Game 9

It was another hot Sunday morning as Mumineen I went to face off against Nur ul Islam. Openers Zahid Hussein and Asif Sharief went in to bat as Mumineen I won the toss and put Nur ul Islam to bat first. Zahid was run out in the 2nd over after an excellent throw from Razak that was almost too good for him. He was injured for a short time as his arm blew out. He was safely back fielding after a few minutes. The bowling soon go wayward and Asif was prepared to take advantage. Zaheer picked up a wicket to stop a partnership, but next batsman was Hazo. This partnership was on a steady pace finding gaps and playing powerful shots down the ground. In no time, Nur ul Islam were already 91/2 after only 10 overs. Things took a turn as Altab and Javed came into the attack. The rate plumetted as the big batsmen, Asif, Hazo, Vivian and Cliff all got out in quicktime. Javed's bowling seemed to be unhittable as the ball failed to come off the bat. The low order seemed to struggle as well even with Sultan batting at number 8. A cameo was played by Manny that lifted Nur ul Islam's score to one that would be defendable. After Manny was out, the tail was vulnerable and Captain Aseef took advantage. For the 3rd time this season, Aseef was on a hat-trick. The hat-trick delivery was a lazily ball that stood in the air, but was almost too far to catch with the field in. That didn't stop Brian from taking a leaping backwards one hand catch to complete the hat-trick. It was only the 2nd time this was done in the IJSCL. Mumineen I came back with a vengeance just giving up 49 runs and taking 8 wickets in the final 9 overs faced.

Nur-ul-Islam 140/10 After 18.5 Overs

Asif Sharief - 46
Sheik Azeerulla - 24
Manny Hussein - 24

Aseef 3.5 0 18 4
Javed 3 0 10 2

The rate required was a little over 7 runs per over. A big wicket fell from the first delivery as Razak was caught. That didn't stop Mumineen I from going on a vicious start as they have been doing lately. After 3 overs, they quickly had 43/1 on the board. After a quick 46 run partnership, Anoop was run out. The tempo had dropped, but runs were coming at the required rate. Aseef was out and then Brian was out quickly. Mumineen I were 97/4 and didn't have alot of batting left to come with the lineup slightly weekened. Altab and Zaheer found form again in both of their innings as they put on a clinic for Mumineen I. They batted sensibly and finished the game in style as Zaheer hit a towering six over deep mid-wicket.

Mumineen I 145/4 After 17 Overs

Altab - 42*
Zaheer - 28*

Zahid 4 1 15 1

Standings after week 9

Mumineen I 39 Pts
Alliance 30 Pts
Mumineen II 27 Pts
Muttaqeen 24 Pts
Nur-ul-Islam 24 Pts
Unity 12 Pts

Mumineen I, Alliance & Mumineen II are safely in the playoffs. Muttaqeen will play against Nur-ul-Islam next on May 1st, to see who will be the final team for the playoffs.

Mumineen I Vs. Mumineen II @ Tamarac Sports Complex #6 - Game 8

It was a very hot morning at Tamarac. Mumineen II had won the toss and decided to have a bat first. Some wayward bowling by Mumineen I had Mumineen II with a great start of 26/0 after only 3 overs. Kam and Zameer started a lethal partnership and were looking very dangerous. Kam was out bowled, which lead an in form Mustaq to bat. Mustaq and Zameer were easily finding boundaries all over the park hitting good and bad deliveries. After 12 overs, Mumineen II were already 119/3. A wicket fell in the following over as Zameer was caught by Omar, but Mustaq wasn't done yet. He had really began to pour it on and batted the rest of the innings with Fazal. At the end, Mumineen I gave up the highest score they have ever given up in the IJSCL.

Mumineen II 198/4 After 20 Overs

Mustaq - 69*
Zameer - 38
Kam - 37

Altab 4 0 32 2

Mumineen I were aware that they were chasing a gigantic score of 199. Razak and Zaheer opened up the batting for Mumineen I. Zaheer hit a wonderful shot for 4, but followed it being caught after lofting a delivery straight to long off. Mumineen I had a very slow start and looked in trouble already as they were only 19/1 after 4 overs. The rate was picking up slowly, but not enough was added. The run-rate kept rising and wickets started to fall. After 10 overs, Mumineen I were 65/4, needing another 134 in the last 10. More tight bowling as added in and as Aseef fell being bowled by Mustaq, it was a nail in the coffin. Adam came in with a late batting onslaught, but it wasn't enough as Mumineen I fell to their 3rd defeat.

Mumineen I 150/9 After 20 Overs

Adam - 38
Aseef - 38
Razak - 31

Idreece - 1 0 6 2
Zameer - 3 0 22 2
Mustaq - 3 0 26 2

In other news, I would like to congratulate Asif Sharief in a wonderful century against Unity. That is the second week in a row that a player on Nur-ul-Islam has scored a century. In fact, our next game will be against them. So this should be fun.

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

Mumineen I had one thing on their mind this game and that was payback from the game they were humiliated by against Muttaqeen. Mumineen I won the toss and put in Muttaqeen to bat first. The bowling was very tight in the first 3 overs as Muttaqeen only scored 12. Things took a huge turn as the next 3 overs went for 44 runs. Muttaqeen were going along well with Alastair leading their pack. He eventually started losing partners with some help from Zaheer, but they were at a healthy 81/4 after 10 overs. This is where it turned around for Mumineen I. Some big wickets were taken as captain Aseef took Steve and Tariq leaving the tail vulnerable. Mumineen I did an excellent job coming back and bowled out Muttaqeen before they could finish their 20 overs.

Muttaqeen 113/10 After 16.5 Overs

Alastair Khan - 42
Fahron Persaud - 15

Zaheer Ali - 3 0 28 3
Aseef Amin - 2 0 12 2
Altab Mohamed - 2.5 0 28 2

Mumineen I saw it was a low target and didn't want to waste time. Razak and Anoop went to open bat and immediately saw the deliveries like they were beach balls. Mumineen I were already 63/0 after after 6 overs. Both Razak and Anoop were both out again at just about the same time. This time it was 2 deliveries later instead of the following delivery. That did not stop a fantastic stand by the two who continue to give Mumineen I what they were missing last year, a good start. Mumineen I continued to bat sensibly throughout the rest of the chase to see them home. They won with 4.4 overs to spare.

Mumineen I 117/4 After 15.2 Overs

Razak - 35
Anoop - 22

Kaiume - 4 0 22 3

Standings After Week 7

Record Points
Mumineen I - 5-2 30
Muttaqeen - 5-2 24
Alliance - 3-3 18
Nur-ul-Islam - 3-4 18
Mumineen II - 2-4 12
Unity - 2-4 12