Mumineen I
It wasn't a very good morning at Tamarac Sports Complex as the rain fell overnight. The ground was very damp. To make everything even better, it started to rain again. This was a fantastic way to begin the finals...FANTASTIC! There was light rain falling for the most part, then it would stop, then start again. The toss was up and Mumineen I had won it. They made the decision they were planning all week and the obvious decision knowing the playing conditions. Nur-ul-Islam openers, Anil and Alastair were sent in. Nur-ul-Islam was off to a great start. 23 runs were on the board without a wicket in 3 overs. As the first ball of the 4th over came, the first wicket was taken as Anoop bowled Alastair for 5. Vivian was in next and this was the partnership that Mumineen I wanted to break as soon as possible. As the 5th over came around, there was a rain delay and play was called off. As play recalled about 10-15 minutes later, Anil was bowled by Zahid from the 1st delivery after the delay. Vivian was next to go as Imran bowled him down for 8. A few more wickets kept falling as Spike and Nick were taken out. Nur-ul-Islam were at 49/5 at their 10 over break. As the break was finished, the first over back, another wicket fell as Sultan was bowled. The following over, Hazo was also bowled. Nur-ul-Islam, now 54/7 after 12 overs were in big trouble. A partnership was needed for Nur-ul-Islam. Saddiq and Cliff had to do some rebuilding as they put on a 23 run partnership. This partnership was ended by Altab, who soon after cleaned up the rest of this side.
Nur-ul-Islam After 16.3 Overs 81/10
Batting
Anil Bhawani - 22
Sheik Azeerulla - 9
Bowling
Altab Mohamed - 1.3 0 4 3
Zahid Hussain - 4 0 13 3
Imran Sadick - 4 0 11 2
The target for the championship was 82 runs required off 120 deliveries. Openers, Razak and Anoop were sent in.
The Nur-ul-Islam bowlers soon found out it was tough to bowl on a pitch that was soaked. Bowlers couldn't take their full run up and also were having a hard time balancing themselves.
With the last ball of the 1st over, Anoop was bowled by Sultan for duck. Altab was next in, hospital band and all from the night before. Another wicket fell in the 4th over as Razak was bowled by Sultan. The following over, Imran was bowled by Spike from the 1st delivery he faced. Mumineen I were in some trouble as they were 21/3 after 5 overs. Mumineen I began to play a little more cautious as Altab and Zahid slowly moved the scoreboard. In the 10th over, Mumineen I lost a big wicket when Altab was caught at long on. At the 10 over break, Mumineen I slumped 36/4. During the break, Zahid and Aseef needed a plan to try and beat the runs out. As the break was finished, the scoreboard moved along well as 15 runs were added in the next 2 overs. Aseef was caught by Cliff at mid-off. Soon later, Zahid was bowled. Mumineen I lost the momentum they had and were pegged back as they were 56/6. Nazim and Shahaan were in. They were going well until Vivian took a splendid caught and bowl from Shahaan. The pendulum had swung again as Nur-ul-Islam were now on top. It went even more when Adam was bowled in the following over by Saddiq. Mumineen I were now 63/8 after 15 overs. 18 runs were needed from 30 balls, but only 2 wickets were remaining as the tail was exposed for the first time this season. Nazim and Afzal were running well, until a fatal mix-up at the crease caused Afzal to be run-out. Mumineen I were 70/9. Nazim and Loo were the last hope left for Mumineen I to go undefeated and win the championship. Nur-ul-Islam were well on top at this point, knowing that the batting experience of Javed wasn't very good. Nazim, who was playing the ball around well, had to protect Javed by not giving him the strike to face. In the 17th over, Javed had to really face the music and it was the loudest of em' all with the most feared bowler in the league, Spike. He defended and did very well. It was the 18th over now and 10 were required from 18 deliveries. During the over, Javed had put away a bad delivery by Anil for 4 that really lit up the Mumineen I cheering section. As the over finished, Mumineen I were 79/9. 3 runs were now required from 12 deliveries and the noise from the Mumineen I camp couldn't get any louder. In Vivian's final over, there was something that happened that may have insured Mumineen I the win. Nazim was bowled by a delivery that hit the stumps...but the bails never fell...A run was scored from Vivian's final over. With the last over coming up Saddiq was chosen to bowl it after taking 3 wickets already. The first delivery of the over against Nazim was a wide, that sent Mumineen I supporters into a frenzy knowing they tied the match at this point. 1 run was required and the field was in. Nazim played a ball straight and both batsmen scored the final winning run sending Tamarac Sports Complex into a bedlam.
Mumineen I after 19.1 Overs 82/9
Batting
Altab Mohamed - 14
Abdul Razak - 13
Bowling
Saddiq Haniff - 3.1 0 15 3
Sultan Khan - 4 0 19 2
The Mumineen I side charged the field in delight and attacked Nazim and Javed, who had just pulled off the greatest victory that they have ever gotten.
Mumineen I were now the IJSCL 2011 Fall Champions. They were happier than the Brady Bunch as they completed their 2nd season going undefeated. It was their 3rd championship in 5 seasons.
Mumineen I continued to celebrate knowing they were the best team once again and were on top.
The winning captain, Aseef Amin, received a cold shower after the win.
2011 IJSCL Fall Season Runner-Up Captain, Alastair Khan, receiving Nur-ul-Islam's trophy.
2011 IJSCL Fall Season Man of the Match, Javed Lall, receiving his trophy.
2011 IJSCL Fall Season Champions Captain, Aseef Amin, receiving Mumineen I's trophy.
Father and son, Razak and Shahaan sharing the hardware.
Mumineen I Captain, Aseef and Manager, Javed
Winning Captain, Aseef and Man of the Match, Javed Lall.
Bruthas from anutha mutha, Imran and Shahaan
Mumineen I have accomplished their goal this season, bring back home the Championship. We will be back next season, strong and ready to defend what's ours.
"Who are we? CHAMPIONS! What are we? CHAMPS!"
This victory will be in the books for the greatest game played in IJSCL history. Hats off to Nur-ul-Islam for playing a hard fought game all the way until the end.
