The Pakistan Cricket Club Taipei (PCCT) dominated the first day of the PCCT Chunghwa Tournament in Taipei City yesterday. The PCCT team managed to pick up comfortable victories against the Taipei Cricket Association (TCA) and Taichung’s Badshaws side.
PCCT captain Mujahid Muhammad hit 53 and wicketkeeper Asif Tanoli smacked an agricultural 41 as they piled up 143 and 146 in their first two matches. The pick of their bowlers was China-based Shoaib Meer, who claimed three wickets at only 4 runs apiece. The wins guaranteed PCCT a place in today’s semi-finals.
The second side to progress from Group 1 will most likely be decided by a clash between the Badshaws and TCA, unless Tainan’s Swinger side can avoid elimination against PCCT.
New manager Stephen White is looking to develop the club in Tainan after a spate of players departed to represent a newly formed Hsinchu-based team, the Taiwan Cricket Club (TCC).
TCC find themselves embroiled in a tense struggle for second place in Group 2. The Southerners Club (TSCC) won all their matches to top the group and net run rate might be needed to split their three opponents.
Taipei’s Indian Cricket Club (ICCT) pulled off a huge upset, defending a below-par 89 against a powerful looking Formosa Cricket Club (FCC). Sachin Bhimani’s three wickets were the key.
They almost repeated the deal against TSCC, bowling them out for 99 and falling one run shy. Shah Nirav bowled an unbelievably spellbinding 6 wickets as their opponents crashed from 78 for one.
Heinrich Nothnagel’s bowling kept FCC in their match against TSCC as he sent down three overs for as many runs and picked up the prize wicket of Graham Terblanche.
Terblanche described Nothnagel’s bowling as “unplayable,” and the statistics showed it, with a combined 6 overs going for only 15 runs and 5 wickets.
However, FCC were twice let down by their batsmen, who failed to capitalize on a difficult pitch.
In remaining matches, the Swingers take on the Badshaws and TCC play ICCT, which will confirm the other two semi-finalists.
The semi-finals and final will be played today at the Shezi Island Baseball grounds near Shilin, Taipei.
In other news, the recently-formed Chinese Taipei Cricket Association will hold a meeting tomorrow.
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