Freiburg Cricket Day 2011

The idea was always there but this year given the motivated players we have, finally we were able to organize a day of cricket in Freiburg. The idea was to invite players from Freiburg and around to play in our ground and enjoy some organized cricket. Another important reason was to showcase cricket as a growing sport in the Freiburg region. So we organized a mini cricket tournament with eight players in each side and each inning limited to eight overs. To make it easy for non-regular players we decided to play with a hard tennis ball making it safer and protection equipments were not needed. Rules were changed a bit to make it easy.

We had four teams. IMTEK Warriors (IW) consisted of largely FNCC players who study engineering at the IMTEK Freiburg. Stusie Super Kings (SSS) consisted of four FNCC players and some other non-regular players from the student housing called 'stusie'. Peshawar Panthers (PP) included a three players from the Pak. Freiburg Cricket Club, four players from Pakistan who do not play regular cricket and one FNCC member (Ajit). And Saghir, collected some players from the villages outside Freiburg and formed the team Ringsheim Champions (RC). 

As per the schedule we decided to play on a round-robin league basis. That meant we had six league games. Vijay introduced a play-off between the second and third team, winner of which was supposed to play the league topper for in the final match. So we had eight matches lined up. 

Ringsheim Champions...The real champions of the tennis ball cricket in Freiburg.

The tournament was supposed to start at 0900hrs but naturally for so many people from Indian sub-continent involved, perhaps time was not the most important fact and the first match started a good one hour late. RC defeated SSS very easily in the tournament opener. The match was made one sided by some terrific hitting from Lucky to scored 28 runs in an over of Nila. In the second match IW defeated PP in a good match which was a bit more close and in fact if not for some strange batting order, PP might have pulled off a victory. In the end the a target of 66 runs was 10 runs too many. In the third match which started with RC being favorites. But PP had learned from their mistakes and came back very strongly. Bilal, Waleed and Prashant never let the RC batting take off. In fact losing Lucky early was a major set back. The target was set to 38 runs which was just not enough. Still, RC fought hard and did not lose many net-run-rate point as the PP won only in the seventh over.

The fourth match was between RC and IW. IW wanted to win to book a place in the finals and RC struggling to remain in the contest. RC bounced back and thrashed IW as they gained more than 8 net-run-rate points, this clearly shows how they dominated the IW team and once again declared themselves as favorites for the tournament. In the fifth match SSS lost again to the PP. That made the sixth match important because the winner was to play in the play-off match against the PP team. IW defeated SSS and qualified for the play-off.

With so many desi people it was a surprise that everything was running smooth. But after the sixth match when we were ready for the play-off match, we showed that only desi people were on the field. PP refused to play the play-off and threatened to leave their campaign mid-way in a thoroughly unfriendly and un-sportsmanly fashion. They cited reasons that they were not aware of the format and such a match was unnecessary, and that they have play in 20+ tournaments and none had that format. We can discuss the relevance of the play-off for example without that match the sixth match would have been without consequence. It was not cricket. Organizers cannot be blamed for a team not reading the rules. And if you have committed to play then you much follow the rules thats what cricket has taught at least to me. PP team could not be convinced to play a single over tie-breaker. So, Pandiyan, who was captaining IW took the initiative and decided to give PP walk-over. It was a great gesture and I would like to thank him and IW team for rescuing the tournament.

So we came to the final with RC taking on PP. And what a match it was. One would have thought that after playing three matches bowlers knew how to bowl on this surface. But first Lucky and later Waleed showed that bowlers had learned nothing. RC batted first and Lucky gave them a blistering start. At one stage they were 45 in three overs. Lucky completed his fifty (first of the tournament) in just 17 balls. They set an imposing target of 109 for the PP team at an asking rate of 12 an over. At the start it looked a difficult target but Waleed did not want to agree and he showed this by scoring a fifty (second of the tournament) in just 15 balls. However, once he was gone there was no one in the PP team to carry on scoring at that high rate. RC won the match by 20+ runs. Obviously they were the deserving champions.

Waleed Butt, the best player of the Freiburg Cricket Cup 2011

This was reflected in as we chose the best bowler (Cheema) and best batsman (Lucky) from RC team. Arpit (IM) was judged as the best fielder. Waleed (RC) was unanimous choice for the Best player.

Vijay who had to play for SSS shared the organization with Rehan and me, which meant preparing the schedule, setting up the rules and regulation and umpiring. but this is unfair that only we three took care of organization. All FNCC members contributed in every possible way. Even non-playing friends of FNCC like Sandeep helped out as he took initiative to cook food and prepare mango lassi and later he was seen taking photos of the match. Special mention for Arpit who was did commentary in hindi. It was very refreshing to hear description of a match in hindi...

The organization started in the middle of lat week when we started to set up the rules and regulation. Buying of food, drinks and refreshment was done on Friday night, and on Saturday. It was amazing how many things we had to bring to the ground. Rehan was very generous to offer his car for the purpose. It was overall a great experience and lot learning and understanding of the process of organizing a tournament. Already some players suggested that such event should become regular feature of the season in Freiburg. We are seeing even beyond and hoping to organize an invitation tournament next season to played with proper cricket ball. So it was more like a rehearsal for us.

Once again thanks to all who contributed to the organization and to all the players who played throughout the day under difficult conditions (35C with 50% humidity and a very bright sun). Also thanks to our muslim friends who were fasting that day and played despite their fast.

Hopefully this event will become regular in FNCC calendar and  besides bringing new players out it will also present cricket in its fullness to the locals who have remained alien to cricket irrespective of the fact that we have playing for 9 years in the same venue and Freiburg has two cricket teams.

Clinical Nomads retain the Rhine cup

FNCC will retain the Rhine cup until next year.
Vijay receives the Rhine cup from Jason, secretary
and a deadly spinner from the Basal CC.

Success tastes sweetest to those who never succeed wrote Wordsworth in his famous poem. But a victory tastes sweetest and counts most when it comes against worthy opponents. It was not a surprise when Nomads shouted three cheers after completing a clinical victory over Basel Cricket Club at their home ground.

In the beautiful settings of the Basel CC ground the match started when the hosts invited us to bat first. Given the unknown nature of the wicket we had decided to bowl first. But Purab and Rehan stood to the challenge of an unknown wicket.  They played out first couple of overs and then started to play their shots. When after 7 overs the score board read 45 without loss another big score was in the sight. But then Purab was hit in his groin as he tried to play across the line. After that Purab seemed out place and was soon LBW.

The winners...

At one point after Purab was gone, FNCC played out 18 deliveries without a run and losing the wickets of Rehan and Pandiyan, both caught in the slips. Then Raghav who had joined Saghir played a lofted shot, the ball rocketed in the sky and FNCC was about to lose one more wicket.  But the catch was dropped and we scored a run after 18 deliveries. Raghav took advantage of his luck and hit two superb sixes over perhaps the longest long-on boundary. But then too got carried away and was out caught in the cover region. Before his wicket Amit Purohit had surprised Saghir who was caught in the slips. With this the responsibility to keep the scoreboard ticking was on Vijay who looked in great touch right from the first delivery he faced. He used this opportunity to show his class as a batsman. He missed a well deserved half century as he got run-out for 46. But he had done his job. He took the score from mid 60s to  140s. In the process, Arpit, Pathubhan and Adnan supported him. Later Nila and I also added some 15 runs for the last wicket. We failed to play our 35 overs but in the 33 overs we scored 165 runs, which was well below our expectations given over start, but it was a very competitive score given the outfield and our bowling.

Among Basel bowlers, Amit Purohit was the clear pick. He used his height and bounce in the wicket and troubled every batsman in his first five overs and took the prized scalps of Pandiyan, Purab, and Saghir. At the other end Neal was teasing the batsmen. Although he took only two wickets but he bowled than his bowling figures show. In general none of the bowler was easy to play on that wicket and 165 was a great effort from FNCC.

That smile... he took four key wickets to win the match for the FNCC.

The Basel CC chase started with a maiden over. After first four over did not yield a wicket, Vijay brought in Arpit, the new found left-arm spinner and who struck right away. In the next over Saghir cleaned up another opener. After that Neal and Zaheer held the Basel CC batting together. Once again Arpit with his left arm spin claimed Neal LBW. After that wickets fell regularly. Arpit added two more to his name. Nila took the prized wicket of Zaheer. Interestingly, couple of over earlier he had dropped Zaheer of the bowling of Saghir. After Zaheer was gone we knew how the match would end. Other batsmen did not stay long enough to cause any serious damage, except perhaps for Rudy who showed very strong resistance. Raghav who came in to the attack rather late showed his class as a bowler and claim two wickets in the two overs. Sunny and Rudy tried to do some rebuilding and took the score to 121.  By that time run rate had climbed to more than 7 an over and there was clear pressure to score runs quickly. At that time Saghir produce an unplayable deliveries and Vijay took a very good catch of Sunny in the gully area, third time he was not lucky. Next over Rudy was caught by Nila off my bowling and Rhine cup was retained for a year.

It was a true wicket, the ball was doing what it was asked to do. It was a treat to bowl on such a wicket. I struggled to get a proper line. Nila and Adnan struggled a bit with their wides. But we have such strong bowling attack that such problems do not become big issues for the team. This time Saghir and Arpit kept things in control. In between Rahul who finally played a game for the FNCC bowled some beautiful deliveries. Nila as always improved with every ball he bowled and his last two overs were class act. This guys seriously needs to work on his stamina.

Overall we were too good for the BCC. But this match once again revealed some cracks in our sides.  We struggled on the bouncing track. Most of our batsmen have developed their game around front foot batting as the ball does not bounce much on our wicket. This was accordingly reflected in the way Pandiyan, Saghir and Rehan were out. Purab was also doing the same mistake. Among us, Rehan and Vijay are the two natural back-foot players and they were very successful.

In bowling we gave too many extras. In fielding we were sloppy on many occasions and brilliant on others. We need to bring consistency in our fielding and bowling.

Nevertheless, this win showed something else of this new fabric of FNCC cricket. Thus far every victory was anchored around one stellar batting performance like one of many half centuries of Saghir, Purab and Parthibhan, or Centuries of Rehan and Pandiyan. Today, there were no such performances except for Vijay's. All the batsmen contributed 10-30 runs. The score of 165 was a team effort. Similarly, certainly Arpit's performance was the corner stone of our victory. But all other bowlers and fielders supported him well.

Good bye Rajesh. Do well as you did when you were part of the FNCC

We finished the game before rain could play a role, this meant we were also able to return to Freiburg and see off Rajesh on the station. He will be dearly missed by the FNCC.

As it stands now, FNCC has won eight of the nine games played this season. Things could have been better and thats what we are aiming for now. It is clear from the attitude that FNCC is not just satisfied with winning, they are now setting up their own standards independent of what opposition they are facing and thats how teams develop.

Basel CC were a great host. The food was delicious as all FNCC player were ready to return to Basel only for food.

Rehan hits his maiden century to win the first match of the Rhine Cup

Basel CC took the initiative to install the 'Rhine Cup' as a rubber between the Basal CC and Freiburg Nomads. Its a great idea that two close neighbors have a defined reason to play cricket regularly.

The weather had earlier abandoned the first match between Basel CC and FNCC. Sunday last again weather threatened to cancel the match. But few weather websites gave us some hope and we decided to play. But as always happens, predictions about cricket and weather dont usually work. The sky remained overcast all through the match, the start was delayed and twice the play was interrupted. With this I wonder if we should name the 'Rhine Cup' as 'Rain Cup'.

The tone of the match was set on the first ball of the second over. Amit overstepped, and Rehan showed his intentions and launched that ball over the head of the bowler for a six, without moving his steps. From that shot on the batsmen grew in confidence and bowler became increasingly defensive. The fact that we did not lose a wicket until the 22nd over says all. 

Rehan is a seasoned player and we are well aware of his potential as a batsman. Often he is unlucky to fall to some superb catches. But today his luck was with him on more than one occasions. And naturally he grew in confidence with every shot he played and went on to score his first hundred, an inning studded with some glorious cover drives, cuts and straight drives. 

Parthibhan was a surprise. He was sent in as a cover to save the main batsmen in otherwise difficult looking batting conditions. His start was a bit cautious but after his first gentle push gave him a double he knew he was in business. It was a great show of temperament from him as he carried on with patience and controlled aggression. He has a very straight bat and powerful arms. When the ball was not bouncing much, it was a perfect technique to score runs. His success once again had added to the problems of Vijay (only in a good way), who will struggle now even more to find a proper batting order. Nearly everyone who has been tried had delivered in a big way.

After such attacking start, it was obvious that few wickets will go cheaply. Pandiyan who came at no. 3 was fresh but Rehan was not and in process of maintaining the run rate of 8 an over, Pandiyan ended up getting himself run out. Saghir was licking his lips when he came to bat as Jason and Saj, two spinners were bowling. His first scoring shot that ended up outside the the mid-on boundary showed his intentions. But he failed to read a low flighted one from Jason and was bowled and he was the most disappointed person in the world at that time.

Arpit and Rahul kept their heads down and supported Rehan and FNCC continued to score at a healthy rate of 6.5+ per over. After Rehan was run-out Vijay and Rajesh took scoring at a different level. Rajesh's smart running between the wicket converted ones into threes. it was great to see Vijay into runs again. He ended with well deserved 30+ not out. In the last over they scored 25+ runs. We finished with 298 on the board. As such we could have scored more. But it was a very satisfying scored. 

All through the innings we scored with at least 6 an over. In the first spell we scored 8+ an over when medium pacers were bowling. Then in 17th over came the smart move of bringing in the slow bowlers. Jason added a new dimension to the bowling, literally. He would toss the ball in the air very high, but with a great control such that the ball would drop sharply near the good length area. It was very difficult to play him. Both Rehan and Parthibhan were batting so well and they were completely tied. Saj supported Jason very well and both reduced the scoring to 6 an over. Only when Saghir launched the two bowlers that the run rate went back to the 'normal' 7.5+ an over.

Basel started off with two boundaries off the first two balls. Zaheer, their star batsman who had scored a double century in the previous game, gave them the first real hope. But it was a false dawn. I took two more balls to adjust my length and then the fifth ball came into kiss the stumps and took the bails along. Two overs later, Saghir bowled a super delivery that again kissed the middle stump and Shubhu was on this way back to the pavilion and it was clear how the match would end. There was a short rain interruption but it did not change the conditions much. After the break, Arpit, who once again bowled orthodox left-arm spin took three wickets at regular interval. He was duly supported by Nila, who had a bad first over, but returned strongly to end up with three wickets.  Rajesh, who is still nursing his knee injury, took the one remaining wicket. There was some resistance by Saj and Rudy but the score was too much and asking rate was too high and confidence too low and wickets too few. 

The rain meant that conditions were not good for cricket. In the end FNCC score indicated that it was a batting wicket but no, it was just the brilliance of Rehan and Parthibhan. The way Basel failed to read the wicket while batting suggests that it was a bowling wicket. But a pitch cannot be friendly to both bowlers and batsmen at the same time.

Basel team had a completely off day. First they struggled to find proper field placements. Earlier in the innings Rehan and Parthibhan and later Vijay and Rajesh completely exposed the poor field placements. Second, they were completely surprised as the ball started to bounce in the second inning. But they have shown all the signs of a good team and this match has no indication of how they will play when they host us next week. If at all they will try to bounce back strongly and the next match of the Rhine Cup would be a much close one. 

For now, Freiburg Nomads are more than happy to keep the Rhine Cup, Rehan and Parthibhan are happy to relish their 100 and 50, respectively. Well done Nomads.

Records

- 298 is the highest score in a 35 over match at the Seepark Freiburg Ground.

- First wicket partnership of about 150 runs is highest for the FNCC

- This is the first time that FNCC did not lose a wicket until 22nd over

- 225 is the highest margin of victory for the FNCC in terms of runs.

- Rehan's 121 is now second highest scored for the FNCC after 128* by Pandiyan.

Cricket survived the scare: Nomads won the onesided affair

The winning Nomads

It was a much awaited match, more than 15 players wanted to play. Our captain Vijay drove from Munich to reach Freiburg past midnight, very likely by cutting short his family trip; Saghir, our top performer over many seasons made himself available in spite of a painfully injured right index finger; Rajesh wanted to play despite his injured knee; Adnan worked through the Saturday so that he can have time to play the game on Sunday; Purab skipped preparations of his birthday party to play. In fact, virtually every player took extra effort to play this game, just because they value their cricket and understand the need to maintain a healthy relationship with Pak. Freiburg Cricket Club (PFCC) on the cricket field and play fair and clean cricket no matter what the opposition wants to do.

Several times during the match a question crossed my thoughts - was it worth the effort our players were making? I do not want to answer the question but let me recollect one instance when this question flashed in my thoughts.

Purab was batting, we were looking comfortable in our chase and I was umpiring. On that particular delivery Purab came across in such a way that I had no view of stumps. He missed the ball and the wicket-keeper appealed, I thought it was for stumping, so I was relaxed that I dont have to make a decision because I had not seen anything that happened around the stumps as Purab had blocked my view. Suddenly I hear Mansoor who was fielding at the short mid-on suggesting that it was a clean bowled. So it was actually my decision. I asked Parthibhan our leg-umpire. He thought that the Zeb's hands hit the stumps and ball was no where close to the stumps.  Our opposition immediately became aggressive and started to blame the umpires for being biased and their conversation suggested that they were on the verge of abandoning the match. For them there was no value of umpire's decision. I did not want the match to close in any undesired manner so I asked Zeb who was the wicket-keeper and main person involved in that incident and also a very respected person by both the teams. I actually asked him to make a decision and he suggested Purab was out. Poor Purab who at that time was all set to lead us to victory was forced out (a new way to get out in cricket) by the opposition.

Overall it seemed that our opposition had entered the field with a prejudice that we will not be fair in our umpiring. They were not even prepared to accept the calls of wides. LBWs decision when turned down are always unacceptable to the bowling team. There was one close shout but in that incident the ball had hit the pad outside of the leg stump, wicket-keeper Zeb knew it and did not appeal. We did not get much chance to see the fairness of the umpiring of the PFCC. We conceded only 6 extras and there were at least two stumpings denied because the guys who was asked to do leg-umpiring was not interested in the game in any form. We did get two LBW decisions against low order batsmen in our favor. 

When the opposition is so biased, questions arise whether it make sense to play, even if for the sake of cricket. So I will not answer the question I asked and leave it to you and move on to the many good things that happened during the course of the match.

First, an excellent half century by Din, who I learned later, was playing his last match as he returns to Pakistan in a week time. It was his innings that held the PFCC batting together. He was the second last wicket to fall, that says a lot. He showed great temperament and virtually scored all his runs in the gulley and slip area with cutting. He was supported by Fawad in beginning, who played brilliantly until he was surprised by a low full-toss of Arpit. Later Din had some temporary support from a left-hander whose name is not known to me. Together they took the score from 90s to 120s.

For the nomdas, the real revelation was Arpit who changed his regular medium fast bowling to slow off-spins and ended up with four wicket, two in one over. Saghir bowled two beautiful deliveries to claim two wickets towards the end of his spell. The one that cleaned up the wickets of the Zeb was simply unplayable, otherwise Zeb is an accomplished batsman. Rajesh showed that even with an inured knee he can surprise the batsmen and claimed two wickets. I also two wickets including that of Din. Raghav then took the final wicket as we were playing 12 a side game. Adnan and Nila were unlucky to go wicket-less. It was not the most important aspect of out bowling that we had bowled out the PFCC for 128 runs. The most important aspect was that until 22 over we did not concede a single extra runs, no wides or no balls or leg byes or byes. In total we gave away 6 or 7 extras. In that sense 128 runs that PFCC scored was a great effort.

Vijay who returned to wicket-keeping after a long time was spot on.  We did have few lapses in the field as a couple of catches were dropped and we could have converted few runs in to run-outs. All and all it was a superb effort and 128 was not a difficult score to chase.

We stared our chase with Rehan and Purab. Rehan apparently just cant hit the ball in the air. Yesterday he was caught just inches above the ground by Fawad, brilliant effort. But Rehan is so unlucky that his catches, however, difficult are never dropped. Raghav was promoted to fill in for Pandiyan. He stared very cautiously, and later he became such a tormentor of the PFCC bowling that I am sure they would not want to bowl to him again, particularly Din who was regularly hit for a six and/or a four in each of his three overs. After the Purab incident Rahul came in and the two left-handers never allowed the opposition bowlers to get to a good line. Runs kept coming until Rahul was given out on a dodgy stumping call. But by that time damage was done. After 17 overs we needed 49 runs. Raghav made it an easy task as he launched flighted deliveries of Din out of the boundary. Adnan wanted to finish and he showed his intentions. He also hit a funny boundary -- his on drive landed just in front of Rizwan as long on but the ball bounced over Rizwan and Adnan had a boundary. In the end Raghav, who had already completed his 50, very fittingly, lofted Mansoor for a six over long-on to finish the match. Later Raghav said that he was motivated by the foul talk of some of the PFCC players. They were talking in Punjabi but they perhaps did not know that Raghav understands Punjabi.

Among the PFCC bowlers the left-hander Lukman was brilliant. He cleaned up Saghir on a nearly perfect delivery which may have kept a bit low according to Saghir's expectations. PFCC struggled with their field placement and of course were not very sharp in the field. In the end 128 was just not enough and FNCC made an easy task of that.

It was very satisfying to win. Now we have six wins out of seven matches we have played. This victory was special because last year loss to the PFCC was responsible for out early exit in the BWCV league. More importantly, despite several attempts from the PFCC, we maintained out cool and finished the match without any visible incident.I dont know if more matches will help in developing a stronger sense of respect for both the teams. 

This is my personal opinion that while nomads were playing to maintain their own high standards, perhaps PFCC were just playing to win. I think goals of a teams should go beyond wins and losses. 

FNCC again showed that they are developing in to a good team. They are not afraid of experimenting as was seen in Arpit turning to off-spin. Everyone who get a chance grabs it with both hands as was seen in promotion to Raghav who scored a brilliant unbeaten 50. This is certainly making it difficult for Vijay, but perhaps only in a good way. Now Raghav and Rahul have been tested at top, I am sure if Fayas is promoted he will also do well, he is clearly a complete and solid batsman. In bowling I dont think Vijay can keep Nila for the old ball. I am very positive that he will be a big success with the new ball. Perhaps it is time to try Nila in the second spell.

Match ball that went to Purab as his Birthday present

I also would like to say something about Vijay. Given the success of virtually every batmen on the top of the order he is not getting enough chance to bat but as a great leader of the team he has never let his personal performance come in the way of leading the team in the best way he can. Part of the success of all the batsmen can be attributed to the fact that they know that in the form of Vijay they have a formidable batsman to fall back on.

Finally, for it was Purab who was given Forced Out, and we were going to Purab's pre-birthday party we decided to dedicate this win to Purab and the match ball was given to him as a birthday gift -- which I am sure will remain a prized possession for him for time to come.