Nomads could not have asked for a better start---99 run victory after scoring 255 runs in little less than 35 overs. More important was the general feeling that we could have scored more run and could have bowled out the opposition for lesser runs....every thing seemed possible on that day.
There were three players who showed what they are capable of. Nila among the bowlers, and Vijay and Rehan among the batsmen. Other still have to make their mark.
Arpit and Rehan gave us a confident start. The real magic started when Vijay joined Rehan. Runs started to come easy on a rather dodgy wicket. It was difficult to play (see below) but very quickly Rehan and Vijay found the range of their shots. Rehan more than often switched between dead bat and areal route. Vijay chose to play a second fiddle to Rehan but played some very beautiful shots. The second wicket partnership was worth 131 runs. At one point they scored 50 runs in five over.
Once Vijay fell to a rather rash shot after scoring 55 runs, the famous FNCC collapse started. At one point we were looking to score 300 runs and soon we were hoping not to get out within 35 overs. Rehan scored 91 runs. He looked all set to score a 100 but ...
Saghir was unlucky again, Angelo was a undone by the strange bounce and Adnan fell victim to his over cautious play. Bala lifted the game with some tentative defence and soaring sixes. In the end we were bowled out for 255 runs.
Zug CC had some good bowler and some under par ones. Suggi and Nesson were pretty handy and troubled the batsmen more than often. But once a batsmen is set, bowlers have to wait for the mistake and Rehan and Vijay took a lot of time to commit there mistakes. We were not sure it 255 runs were going to be enough given the outfield and unfamiliarity with the opposition.
We started in our regular economical way. I was struggling with my rhythm. Saghir was however, channeling is batting failure in to an aggressive opening spell. Nila however was the pick of this spell. From mid-on when nobody expect he gave us the first breakthrough in the form of a runout. In my third over I went for 14 runs. Even though the required run rate was more than 7 an over in that ground it was doable and we were wary that few such loose overs to could undo the hard work of Rehan and Vijay. So Saghir correct my mistake as one of his yorker hit the stumps.
Arpit and Nila then tied up the batsmen. One of Arpit's over also costed him 13 runs but overall the second spell pretty much closed the doors for the Zug CC as the required runs rate increases slowly to nine an over. Such run rate can be maintain for few over but only rarely for 20 overs.
Nila bowled beautiful. He had the perfect length for that wicket and he was duely rewarded with maiden overs and wickets. Arpit was unlucky that he didnt pick a wicket... Pranjal was spot on... when he came in there was a pressure to consolidate the advantage Nila and Arpit brought to us and he did that job excellently.
Vijay changed his bowler regularly and gave Zug CC batsmen no chance to pick any bowler. With run rate climbing it was clear that batsmen will go for big shots but proper field placement and bowling length meant that we did not leak too many runs.
After drinks break it was more a matter of victory margin. I returned after drinks, still struggling for rhythm but was lucky to pick up two wickets credit however should go to Saghir who took quickly amending his rare lapse in fielding and Pranjal who judged the catch in cover very well.
But again it was Nila who stole the show. At one point he took two wickets in two balls -- Saghir intercepted a very good shot and I took a skier. He ended up with four wickets as Vijay wanted to try out Adnan, Bala and Bala. The small Bala (a very colorful character) was successful in claiming a wicket and FNCC was celebrating a victory after 10 months... It was a great feeling....
From Zug CC, Roshan and one of the opener were very good. I thought that Rishan came a bit too late. But overall I think more than our bowling they crumbled under the weight of runs they were supposed to score.
But it was not all that great. We were good in the field but should have held few more catches. Vijay needs some more practice behind the wicket. Bowling was superb but I really need to work on my bowling rhythm. Batting showed our depth and shallowness at the same time. The collaps of middle order cannot be acceptable and we cannot hope to go further just based on one big partnership. This match clearly showed that if our middle order clicks what we are capable of ... what is important is that we convert this potential to reality.
Man of the match: I am bowler and I biased when I think Nila should be the MoM. But truely it was Rehan's batting that helped us put up that huge score. It is only a shame that he missed out on his well deserved century. But there are going to be many more opportunities.... Thank you Rehan. Of course Rehan's effort would not have been enough without Vijay and Nila.
There were three players who showed what they are capable of. Nila among the bowlers, and Vijay and Rehan among the batsmen. Other still have to make their mark.
Arpit and Rehan gave us a confident start. The real magic started when Vijay joined Rehan. Runs started to come easy on a rather dodgy wicket. It was difficult to play (see below) but very quickly Rehan and Vijay found the range of their shots. Rehan more than often switched between dead bat and areal route. Vijay chose to play a second fiddle to Rehan but played some very beautiful shots. The second wicket partnership was worth 131 runs. At one point they scored 50 runs in five over.
Once Vijay fell to a rather rash shot after scoring 55 runs, the famous FNCC collapse started. At one point we were looking to score 300 runs and soon we were hoping not to get out within 35 overs. Rehan scored 91 runs. He looked all set to score a 100 but ...
Saghir was unlucky again, Angelo was a undone by the strange bounce and Adnan fell victim to his over cautious play. Bala lifted the game with some tentative defence and soaring sixes. In the end we were bowled out for 255 runs.
Zug CC had some good bowler and some under par ones. Suggi and Nesson were pretty handy and troubled the batsmen more than often. But once a batsmen is set, bowlers have to wait for the mistake and Rehan and Vijay took a lot of time to commit there mistakes. We were not sure it 255 runs were going to be enough given the outfield and unfamiliarity with the opposition.
We started in our regular economical way. I was struggling with my rhythm. Saghir was however, channeling is batting failure in to an aggressive opening spell. Nila however was the pick of this spell. From mid-on when nobody expect he gave us the first breakthrough in the form of a runout. In my third over I went for 14 runs. Even though the required run rate was more than 7 an over in that ground it was doable and we were wary that few such loose overs to could undo the hard work of Rehan and Vijay. So Saghir correct my mistake as one of his yorker hit the stumps.
Arpit and Nila then tied up the batsmen. One of Arpit's over also costed him 13 runs but overall the second spell pretty much closed the doors for the Zug CC as the required runs rate increases slowly to nine an over. Such run rate can be maintain for few over but only rarely for 20 overs.
Nila bowled beautiful. He had the perfect length for that wicket and he was duely rewarded with maiden overs and wickets. Arpit was unlucky that he didnt pick a wicket... Pranjal was spot on... when he came in there was a pressure to consolidate the advantage Nila and Arpit brought to us and he did that job excellently.
Vijay changed his bowler regularly and gave Zug CC batsmen no chance to pick any bowler. With run rate climbing it was clear that batsmen will go for big shots but proper field placement and bowling length meant that we did not leak too many runs.
After drinks break it was more a matter of victory margin. I returned after drinks, still struggling for rhythm but was lucky to pick up two wickets credit however should go to Saghir who took quickly amending his rare lapse in fielding and Pranjal who judged the catch in cover very well.
But again it was Nila who stole the show. At one point he took two wickets in two balls -- Saghir intercepted a very good shot and I took a skier. He ended up with four wickets as Vijay wanted to try out Adnan, Bala and Bala. The small Bala (a very colorful character) was successful in claiming a wicket and FNCC was celebrating a victory after 10 months... It was a great feeling....
From Zug CC, Roshan and one of the opener were very good. I thought that Rishan came a bit too late. But overall I think more than our bowling they crumbled under the weight of runs they were supposed to score.
But it was not all that great. We were good in the field but should have held few more catches. Vijay needs some more practice behind the wicket. Bowling was superb but I really need to work on my bowling rhythm. Batting showed our depth and shallowness at the same time. The collaps of middle order cannot be acceptable and we cannot hope to go further just based on one big partnership. This match clearly showed that if our middle order clicks what we are capable of ... what is important is that we convert this potential to reality.
Man of the match: I am bowler and I biased when I think Nila should be the MoM. But truely it was Rehan's batting that helped us put up that huge score. It is only a shame that he missed out on his well deserved century. But there are going to be many more opportunities.... Thank you Rehan. Of course Rehan's effort would not have been enough without Vijay and Nila.
The wicket
In the main land Europe nothing surprises you more than the cricket wicket. For instance, we play on plastic wicket in football field where we cannot even nail the plastic thing. From a cement wicket with artifical turf to jute and plastic mats you will find every variety except for the real wicket. Talk about cultural schock...There are many more innovative and creative wickets that can test your abilities. In Zug we were told that the wicket was a surprise even to the home side. We of course played in football field with turf i.e. the outfield was lightening fast. There was a real chance at the boundary the ball may bounce over the fielders.
The wicket in such field was a mere carpet which was tapped to the ground and the other end which just extended to the half of the pitch. Usually the carpet was stretched at the start of the over and for subsequent deleveries the accumulated wrinkles which invariable led to unpredictable bounce and speed. This is real cultural shock....
The hosts
It was great to play at the ground of Zug Cricket club. Very good hosts... made it an every bit an enjoyable atmosphere. Thank you guys for beging so nice and kind off the field and competitive on the field.
The wicket in such field was a mere carpet which was tapped to the ground and the other end which just extended to the half of the pitch. Usually the carpet was stretched at the start of the over and for subsequent deleveries the accumulated wrinkles which invariable led to unpredictable bounce and speed. This is real cultural shock....
The hosts
It was great to play at the ground of Zug Cricket club. Very good hosts... made it an every bit an enjoyable atmosphere. Thank you guys for beging so nice and kind off the field and competitive on the field.
It is of course only a start... It is easier to win one or two odd games and it is completely different to maintain a consistence particularly when wicket is part of the cultural shocks and most oppositions are unfamiliar It is beginning of a long journey for the FNCC... the nice things that there are many young and enthusiastic players who are showing every promise to take us through.
right arm over
Arvind
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