Several Exiles club records were broken as Exiles beat last minute opponents Ham and Petersham by 179 runs at Dundonald Rec on Sunday.

Exiles won the toss and batted on a sunny day and Asad flew out of the blocks reaching fifty before opening partner Darwin had scored! Asad went on to score a blistering 59 ball hundred and was first out for 130 with the opening partnership 168, having hit 5 maximums and 19 boundaries.

Darwin accelerated and went on to score a smooth 63 himself, but Exiles lost regular wickets in the middle order as the attempts to keep up with Asad’s early pace probably proved a touch over enthusiastic. That was until Nadeem came in at number 9 and smashed a 16 ball fifty.

With Nadeem out off the last ball, Exiles closed on 352 all out from their 40 overs – comfortably the club highest ever score – beating the 307 against Ploughman’s in August last season.

With so many runs on the board, captain Shahid had the luxury of rotating the bowlers, ultimately trying 8 different players. Wickets were generally shared round, but Nadeem completed a fine individual performance with 4 for 32, and golden arm Bernard picked up 2 for 19. H&P were all out for 173 giving the Exiles a third straight emphatic win.

Riverbank Ramblers at Barn Elms next Sunday.

An amazing 113 not out off 94 balls from Zia – with 8 sixes – lead Exiles to an emphatic 199 run win over Wimbledon United at Cottenham Park on Sunday.

Batting first in sunny conditions, Exiles were stumbling somewhat at 136 for 5 before Siyar joined Zia for a stunning partnership of 149 – which is an Exiles club record for the sixth wicket – with Siyar adding 4 maximums of his own. Exiles closed on 285 for 5 – which is the clubs second highest ever score.

Once again Exiles pacy openers of Nadeem and Ishaq set the tone for an ultimately comfortable win, with all 6 Exiles bowlers used picking up at least one wicket as Wimbledon were dismissed for 86.

Exiles play The Blues at Dundonald Rec next Sunday.

Exiles picked up a first win of the 2025 season courtesy of a comfortable 95 runs victory over the Dulwich CC Sunday Development side.

Batting first, Exiles piled up 240 for 9 off their 35 with debutant Asad smashing a rapid 53 at the top and contributions also from Abdul, KK, Zia and Jamil – with 6 of the top 7 hitting at least one maximum.

After a pacy start from Exiles openers, the match was never in doubt with Ishaq taking 3 for 20 and the other debutant Abdullah taking a fine 4 for 14.

Wimbledon United at Cottenham Park next week.

Exiles lost a classic match to Southern Railway and Kenley by just one run to start the 2025 season.

In a break to recent norm, Exiles captain Shahid won the toss and chose to bowl. And despite impressive pace from debutant Nadeem resulting in a sharp early catch from the returning Zia at slip, Kenley ground their way to a fine position of 80 for 1 before a four wicket intervention from Sri bowling up the hill saw the Exiles get back into the match, with the Exiles then taking regular wickets and ultimately bowling Kenley out for 151 – with 2 wickets for Nadeem, KK and Zia.

Exiles reply didn’t start well with three early ducks as the side slipped to 67 for 7, with ‘fast spinner’ Elan returning a superb 5 for 19 for Kenley. Debutant Ghulam Safi worked hard for 37 to keep the Exiles scoreboard moving. But it was the belligerent Nadeem who stole the show supported by the for once resilient Exiles lower order as Ling, Crossland and Naren, despite only scoring 5 runs themselves between them, assisted in partnerships of 23, 36 and 24 as every smashed boundary from Nadeem wiped the smiles off the faces of the Kenley fielders as the Exiles suddenly got close. Very close.

It was the obduracy of John Crossland that really illustrated the frustration of the Kenley bowlers, his innings only ended when Kenley decided to bounce out the 68 year old wicket keeper. When Nadeem ultimately edged behind, Exiles were only one short and Kenley were very very relieved.

An excellent start to the 2025 season with two very impressive debuts for the Exiles.