A stunning performance from Asad Khan took Exiles to an excellent 51 run victory over new opponents Gladiators CC on Sunday at Joseph Hood Rec.

Exiles batted first as is customary and despite some early boundaries from Asad, Exiles lost wickets at the other end and were soon 67 for 4, before Asad finally found an able ally in KK (47) who played the support role in a stunning partnership of 141.

When Asad was finally dismissed – having scored 139 out of the teams 208 at the time, the rest of the innings subsided pretty quickly to 232 all out, 2 balls short of the 40, KK falling just short of a fifty.

Naren struck in the first over in reply and soon took a second wicket – taking him to 397 career Exiles wickets – and with an early strike also for Nadeem, Gladiators were in early trouble at 23 for 3.

However contributions from the numbers 4 and 5 in particular, with support from the rest of the Gladiators line up, kept the Exiles honest, but 3 wickets for Shahid (3 for 36), two more from Nadeem (3 for 31) the Exiles kept chipping away and it was left to Asad – who else – to wrap up the win with 2 wickets in 5 balls.

Gladiators 181 all out, giving the Exiles the win by 51 runs. Fixture next Sunday is tbc.