3rds beat 4ths in Cup Thriller

The 4th XI went into the cup fixture against the 3rd XI and had high hopes of regaining bragging rights. On a road of a track, a fast outfield in an enormous playing area (courtesy of the 3rds) and beautiful weather it looked as if a run fest was in the offing and that is how it was.

The 4ths elected to bat and the first to be sacrificed were Mishra and Shukla, put to the sword by Khan and Bhatti. Crisp hitting and some sharp running saw 4s and 6s galore and the score raced to 87 before Bhatti was held at deep mid on by Mishra for a well struck 40. Khan & Usman kept up the mayhem with Usman looking to break fingers and hands with multiple crunching shots that needed a lot of stopping. Khan was then out at 126 Lbw to Sakhi for a sublime 44. Bilal supported Usman in his onslaught but was bowled by the returning Mishra for 17. In the penultimate over Usman fell for 79 (which included 10 4s and 3 6s) caught by Anand off Bhaskar and the innings closed on a colossal 215 for 5. Unbeatable surely...

This seemed to be the case when Chichani (4) somehow reached a ball so far outside off it would have been a wide and spooned it to Usman at cover. Pinch hitter Shukla (3) also fell cheaply, Lbw to Muzaffar and the 4s fancied their chances with the 3s at 17 for 2. Unfortunately, Garg and Mishra had not read the script and stroked / clubbed all comers around the park in a 10 over, 113 run partnership for the 3rd wicket. Both were brutal in their stroke play.

Hopes were raised when Garg fell 'Bhattiesque' in the deep for 73 (7 4s, 3 6s) (caught at the nth attempt by Muzaffar) but this only brought 'Biffer' Bhaskar to the crease. He was just as heartless on the bowling and clubbed an impatient 45 off 24 balls (7 4s, 1 x 6) to take the game away from the 4s. He was bowled by Sajja to allow Bhatti to lay on some buffet bowling to Mishra to finish the game on 82 not out. 42 balls, 11 4s & 2 6s). The 3rds winning by 6 wickets and 9 balls to spare. A scenario not anticipated by many I suspect at the innings start.

Soul destroying for bowlers on both teams but a cracking game all the same. Best of luck to the 3s in the next round.