KHURUM POWERS RBCC TO T/20 TITLE DEFENCE
Match report.
Finals: 13-September-2014, 16:45 Hrs. in Bilande
RBCC Vs Crescent CC
Weather: Sunny
Toss: RBCC won the toss and elected to Bowl.
A magnificent display of power hitting by Khurum sealed victory for RBCC and saw them retain the national T/20 title. Earlier in the day Crescent CC just defeated Afghan CC and RBCC made easy work of AICC. This set up a mouth watering clash between RBCC and Crescent CC.
A bold decision by Brighton to send Crescent CC in to bat with their two overseas players Sherry and Nadeem seemed to be paying off with a few quick wickets including Sherry. Nadeem then entered and started flaying the bowling to all corners of the park in typical fashion. He offered 2 catches to Khurum who dropped both before Shahab trapped him leg before and the resistance subsided. Crescent CC ended on 132, not a huge score but competitive especially since RBCC did not have their Belgium national player Mishi and Waqas, their ever reliable all rounder, who was injured earlier in the day during the semi final against AICC.
The former Zimbabwe fast bowler, Brighton Watambwa, opened the batting for RBCC as he normally does in limited overs cricket, to make use of the power play but this time he was more subdued, he batted with determination and common sense taking singles and waiting for the bad balls to dispatch to the boundary.
At the other end Anurag took on the Crescent CC bowlers and pulled the first ball he faced for 6, he then slipped when trying to run a quick single and injured his leg and had to retire. This brought Chris Hutchins to the wicket, tasked with turning the strike over to Brighton. In a competitive battle with Sohail, runs were not easy to come by as both teams battled to take control of the game.
RBCC then lost Chris, Anurag, who had returned to the crease and then Brighton in quick succession. Brighton made another excellent 48, the best I have ever seen him bat. Technically correct most of the time, tactically sound and showed unusual patience. During the fracas he was the calmest person on the field.
RBCC now needed 50 to get in 7 overs and only Shahab among the recognized batsmen at the crease. A few worried faces could be seen in the RBCC camp as Khurum strolled to the wicket. He settled low in his stance, holding his bat like a machete glistening under the hot Caribbean sun ready to cut cane under the watchful eyes of his massa. The big fast bowler at the top of his mark turned and started steaming in to Khurum, he got to the wicket and sent down a 65 mph delivery which Khurum smashed to the boundary for 4 not a man moved and the crowd went wild. Khurum did this 4 more times in the over before edging the final ball behind the wicket for 3 runs, only the slow outfield denying him six fours in the over.
Shahab then hit a few boundaries before getting out. Gregg then came to the party and smashed a huge six. With just 1 run to get Khurum looked to finish in style and got himself bowled, finishing with 36 runs off just 13 balls, before an anti climax as the winning run came off a wide ball.
This was a majestic performance by RBCC beating Crescent CC in the 16th over, showing depth in their team as well as team spirit and confidence. Well done to RBCC 2014 national T/20 champions.
