Club Statistics
Match Summary: vs. Karnataka, Sunday, 28 May 2023
Ground: King George's Playing Fields
Captain: Shahid Iqbal
Match type: 40 overs
Toss: Exiles elected to bowl
Weather: Mainly Sunny
Opposition: Karnataka scored: 144 all out (37.5 overs)
Exiles Score: 145 for 3 (22.2 overs)
Result: Won by 7 wickets
Man of the match: Ajmal Safi 67no & 2 for 16
| Batsmen | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shahid Iqbal (C) | ct. | 22 | 32 | 3 | 0 |
| 2 | Ajmal Safi | not out | 67 | 60 | 14 | 0 |
| 3 | Bernard Leuvennink | ct. | 22 | 24 | 2 | 0 |
| 4 | Jamil Wadair | ct. | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 5 | Yahya Khan | not out | 16 | 14 | 3 | 0 |
| 6 | Hasan Khan | dnb | ||||
| 7 | Muhammed Siyar | dnb | ||||
| 8 | Phil Ling | dnb | ||||
| 9 | Masie Musakhel | dnb | ||||
| 10 | Naren Patel | dnb | ||||
| 11 | John Crossland (W) | dnb | ||||
| Extra(s) 1nb 10w 2b 1lb | 14 | |||||
| 145 | 135 | |||||
| Bowler | O | M | R | W | Avg | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Naren Patel | 6.0 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 | Muhammed Siyar | 6.0 | 0 | 24 | 3 | 8 |
| 3 | Phil Ling | 5.0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Masie Musakhel | 4.0 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | Yahya Khan | 8.0 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 11 |
| 6 | Bernard Leuvennink | 2.0 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 7 | Ajmal Safi | 5.0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 8 |
| 8 | Hasan Khan | 1.5 | 0 | 6 | 2 | 3 |
| Player | Catch | Run Out | Stumping | Penalty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bernard Leuvennink | 2 | |||
| John Crossland (W) | 1 | |||
| Masie Musakhel | 1 | |||
| Muhammed Siyar | 1 |
Exiles turned up for our first home game of the season excited following a very good win the prior Sunday. On a dry pitch, but in windy conditions Captain Shahid won the toss and chose to bowl, this suited the author as I could keep an eye on the last day of the Premier League during the second innings – I had no interest in the IPL final though.
The first twenty overs was a game of cat and mouse really, Exiles bowled quite consistently wicket to wicket, the odd ball keeping low, but not really threatening. Karnataka batsmen looked pretty comfortable to be honest, picking off the bad balls, and running the singles when available. The singles were almost too easy, as our ground fielding was a bit sloppy all round, including yours truly. At drinks Karnataka were 79 -1 and expected to kick on.
There was definitely a noticeable change in approach on the batting as the opposition looked to take on every ball that was bowled. However, rather than accelerate the run rate it led to a constant fall of wickets with singles also drying up. In a good sign for the Exiles, this week it was Muhammed Siyar, Yahya Khan and Ajmal Safi who did the damage with Hasan Khan mopping up the tail. Karnataka finished 144 all out.
We knew to play the ball based on line and to get forward if at all possible with the ball still staying low, however to do it in practice is another thing. As things turned out we did exactly that and batted very well sticking to the adage of being patient and putting the bad balls away.
Although we lost wickets as the team played positively, it was all comfortable as we cantered home for the loss of three wickets, with a fine innings of 67 not out by Ajmal – although being a true Exile he was almost undone several times by depth charge bowling!
Just to note that the football teams of our leading run scorer, Keith Roberts, and leading wicket taker, Andy Wingfield, had contrasting outcomes. Keith's Leicester City being relegated, despite winning their last game of the season, as Everton (Andy's team) won and stayed in the Premier League.
Report By: Phil Ling