Taipei’s Pakistan Cricket Club (PCCT) qualified for the final of today’s Greater Taichung Cauldron Trophy with a win and a draw in their two matches yesterday.
In the first match of the new year, PCCT took on neighbors the Formosa Cricket Club (FCC). After winning the toss, PCCT captain Mujahid Muhammad did not hesitate to send the FCC in to bat.
His thinking was spot-on, as openers Stephen McElhinney and Dhananjay Magar struggled against Shoaib Meer (1/12) and Ninad Malwade’s (4/32) tight line and length. By the end of the sixth over, three FCC batsmen were dismissed for just 18.
Timmy Chang (32) saw off the early challenge and unfurled his favored pull shot to push up the scoring rate. Salim Indiradevi (29) and Murugesan Kannan pushed the rate up more, with Kannan putting his first two deliveries into the stands.
However, FCC’s 136 for six was no challenge for Rehan Naeem (51) and Malwade (42 not out) with the bat. Dropped catches, including Naeem first ball, cost FCC dear and PCCT won with nearly four overs to spare.
FCC bounced back against the Daredevils thanks to Murugasen’s rapid-fire 77 not out and Salim joined in the fun, smacking Jared Painter’s delivery onto the roof of the stadium. Their 158 proved too much as Salim (3/14) bowled brilliantly to tie down the Daredevil batters. Only Duane Christie (30) showed significant resistance in the total of 115.
The final match ended in a draw as PCCT, needing one run to win, saw their last man run out. The match see-sawed throughout.
Andrew Carrick (35) put pressure on the field, hitting three consecutive fours immediately after being felled by a nasty bruise to the elbow. His wicket and another injury to Christie limited the total to 117.
Elmar Sobers (1/16) had two turning points — trapping Naeem (14) LBW and taking a sharp catch to dismiss Shezhad Khan.
The Daredevils take on FCC this morning for the right to face PCCT in the afternoon final.
The event takes place at Wanshou Baseball Ground at 329 Dadun Road in Greater Taichung (萬壽棒球場 台中市大墩路329號).
‧ Points: PCCT 5, FCC 4,
Daredevils 3.
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