A superb last wicket stand of 58 took the Exiles to a 26 run win over Ploughman’s in Dulwich on Sunday.

Exiles batted first in typically beligerent fashion with Zia smashing 72 off 59 balls. But at 185 for 9 with overs left, Exiles looked likely to post a sub-par total before a fine return to form for Shahid as the aggressor with 54 not out, supported by Ishaan took the side up to 243 for 9 off the full 40 overs. This partnership equals the club record for the 10th wicket. And how important was that last wicket partnership to prove to be!

Ploughman’s batted solidly in response and seemed well placed at 160 for 3, albeit behind the rate and ultimately that proved their undoing, finishing 26 short on 217 for 8, with 2 wickets each for KK and Hasan and an important full economical spell of 1 for 35 from Zia.

So an excellent win for the Exiles. Streatham & Marlborough away next week.

Exiles won for the 10th time from 12 matches in 2026 with a 3 wicket victory over new opponents The Covenant CC at the Hervey Road Sports Ground near Blackheath on Sunday.

Exiles lost the toss and were fielding first in hot and dry conditions and with a strong looking opposition batting line up apparently well capable of scores above 300. Whilst the outfield was like a desert the square itself was suprisingly green and that generated some swing and seam for Nadeem and Zia opening the bowling for the Exiles.

And they responded magnificently, supported by young Ishaan and reduced The Covenant to 32 for 5, courtesy in part of some excellent catches – Zia and Nadeem both with caught and bowleds, but Zia also with a superb one handed reflex catch at wide slip.

Exiles were well on top and could afford to take their foot off the pedal a little and allowed The Covenant back into the match somewhat before the returning Zia closed out the innings with 2 late wickets and an excellent direct hit run-out, The Covenant closing 153 all out.

Exiles were aware of facing a potentially decent bowling attack from the home side, and the early losses of Shahid and Hasan did little to help. But a substantial partnership of 77 then followed between Darwin – with a steady 28 and captain KK with a fine 52 put the Exiles into a strong position at 105 for 2, albeit with overs starting to run out.

Darwin more or less sacrificed himself to assist the run rate, but unfortunately that led to a flurry of wickets as KK himself was then bowled, as was Andy – unluckily kicking one down the leg side onto his stumps with his trailing boot – and then Ahmad was also bowled and suddenly it was game on again. Zia also fell relatively soon after and Exiles had lost 5 wickets for 21 runs.

But at number 9 they had surely one of the best number 9s in Sunday friendly cricket in Nadeem – fresh from back to back 20 ball fifties in the previous 2 matches – and he promptly smashed his third ball for six and with support from the other Zia, a quick partnership of 30 saw the Exiles home with 5 overs to spare.

This was a fine performance from the Exiles against good opposition and the win could’ve been much more emphatic. Ploughman’s in Dulwich next week.