Brownstown vs Gladiators - QF Game

For the first time in the whole season Brownstown team played with the same combination that had won them last year's Final. I know Viju must be looking at heavens asking why us !!! But there is also another first-timer for Brownstown in this game. They were also playing their 'first ever' game at High Meadows in 2009 season. While Gladiators hold little 'home' advantage as they played their PQF game on the same venue, it didn't bother Brownstown much as they consider HM1 as one of their lucky grounds ....... Gladiators won the toss and decided to bat first on a wicket that looked like it will crumble as the game progress. Their openers started off with a bang, scoring 20 runs in 3 overs without any loss. Bodhen was on on song and played some scintillating shots. Yasir immediately turned to his ace bowler Rehan Bukhari who duly obliged by taking out Bodhen in his very first over. An unfortunate run out of Raja Gumbar followed by skipper's wicket brought a complete halt to the brisk scoring. Naeem tried to stabilize the innings but lost his wicket soon after break, triggering a middle order collapse. Gladiator's innings folded in the 20th over setting Brownstown a target of 74. Gladiators must be disappointed for not playing out the complete quota of 25 overs. Rehan Bukhari and Mujahid took 3 wickets each, while Bodhen and Naeem lead the scoring with scores of 16 and 11 respectively. Brownstown's opening pair again provided a watchful but solid start. Viju rotated his bowlers cleverly but was unable to get an early break through. Satish troubled both openers consistently and was finally able to get the break through parting a 26 runs opening stand. Two more wickets fell quickly and soon the momentum of game started to drift away from Brownstown. Raja Gumbar's canny spin bowling got rid of Rehan Bukhari after break, leaving Brownstown with 32 still needed with 5 wickets down. However it is ever reliable Javed along with Rashid who steadied the Brownstown's ship and saw the team through to the required target without any further damage. Satish and Gumbar were the pick of the bowlers for Gladiators. If Viju had one more Raja and Satish in his squad, then who knows what the end result might be ............
A word of appreciation for the two umpires (Vikas and Murugan) who supervised the game patiently and almost flawlessly.