SOBA on full throttle; Zeeshan knocks 83 for KLCC

SMAP LABU OLD BOYS (SOBA) scored a thumping eight wickets win over Old Putera to go top of the standings in the Navaratnam Shield but it was an energetic and sparkling batting performance from Kuala Lumpur Cricket Club skipper Zeeshan Khan which was the highlight of the week.

Chasing Kelawar’s total of 153, the 39-year-old businessman smashed an unbeaten 83 to put up a strong resistance and ensured KLCC surpassed the target with three balls to spare and five wickets in hands over the former champions. He was ably supported by Muhd Ahmed on 38. Rohit Gunavanthe captured 2 wickets for 24 runs in four overs and Travis Herdon took 2-1.

Kelawar, elected to bat on winning the toss, scored 153 for the loss of four wickets, averaging 7.65 runs per over. Neil Morgan scored 25 before he was out caught by Ahmed Ali off Zeeshan, Rohit Gunavanthe contributed 37 runs and Scot Ferguson (27). Muhd Ali took two wickets at 13 runs apiece, Zeeshan (1-35) and Ahmad Husni (1-25).

Soba’s win over Putera Old Boys was their second in the tournament, having survived a nail-biting finish against KLCC just a week earlier at the Selangor Turf Club. The former Royal Military College students put up a paltry 97 runs for the loss of eight wickets through Nordin Manan (15 not out), Ahmad Mazlan (15), Julian (13), Ahmad Faris Mazlan (14) and Sanjeev Kumar (11 not out).

Atif Habib took four wickets at the expense of 16 runs in four overs; Fahad Safdar grabbed two, Muhamad (1-10) and Trishan (1-12). There were 28 extras.

In reply, SOBA surpassed the target in just 9.4 overs, averaging 10.45 runs an over. Muhammad Asif contributed 46 and Atif Habib 21 runs respectively. Old Putera’s successful bowlers were Ahmad Faris Mazlan (1-22) and Mayuran Jayanathan (1-23).

Debutants Frontiers and Royal Selangor Club (RSC) also had a fruitful weekend. Frontiers defeated MAS by 90 runs, thanks to disciplined and stylish batting from Kajang High School’s Asyraf Abdul Rahman’s sparkling 67 while RSC pulled off a morale boosting eight wicket victory over Kinrara CC, fondly known as ‘Rita’s XI’.

Sent in to bat first, Frontiers scored 182 runs in 20 overs for the loss of six wickets while MAS were bundled out for 90. Debojyoti, K.N. Param and Sathya were the only p_layer_s to reach double figures scoring 10, 15 & 19 respectively for MAS. Sri Lankan siblings Umer (3-7) and Usama Yunoos (2-5), Faizal Tokiran (2-5), Bashir Ahmad (2-6) and Abdullah Khan (1-16) were responsible for MAS collapse.

Congratulations!