MegaBytes vs BrownsTown: SF Game - Match Report - Rehan

Well well…..the lady luck continued her blessings upon MegaBytes as they easily went passed Brownstown with their heads high. What’s considered to be a high profile game, turned out to be a one-sided affair.
Brownstown had an early set back when they found out in the morning that their skipper Yasir couldn’t make it for this game. A substitute was called in, while Gautham was very generous to lend them one of his players to field till the substitute arrives. DCL committee did a great job in assigning two best umpires in the league (Viju and Samish) for this game, who supervised the game flawlessly.
MegaBytes won the toss and decided to bat first. Despite losing both their openers in 3rd over, they continue to play positive cricket and their batsmen keep on piling runs at a decent rate. Even the three run outs and two superb catches by Syed Akbari in the deep couldn’t stop them from getting to a decent total of 93. Praveen and Gautham played superb knocks. Goutham took full advantage of the lucky break he got when one of his shots went for a six after bouncing out of the palm of Mujahid in the deep. Matta started with a boundary and provided good support, while Aditya also rotated strikes intelligently. For Brownstown, Tariq was the pick of their bowlers taking 3 wickets.
Chasing a total of 93 is always challenging for any team against the strong Mbytes bowling attack but what Brownstown went through was a disaster. Goutham cleaned up their stand-in skipper Rehan Mallick in his first over. Brownstown never recovered from there, as runs are so hard to come by against a very disciplined bowling attack. Imran, Zia and Javed tried to bring some stability but MegaBytes bowlers continued to pick wickets while barely giving away any runs. Jeet was outstanding with the ball, claiming 3 wickets. He was very well supported by Goutham, Hari, Praveen and Binod. In the end MegaBytes bowling proved just too good for Brownstown.

For many, this game is considered as the last hurdle for MegaBytes towards the championship but it appears that there is a little twist in the tale as Juggs victory in the QF may be, just may be produce some excitement in the league. However Juggs have to see through RBCC first, before thinking of a show down with the extremely favourites ‘MegaBytes’.

MegaBytes vs Brownstown SF Game – A Preview by Rehan

I will take a leaf from Anand’s article on DCL web site published last year:
“This match up is more likely to occur in the playoffs than pimples blooming on a turbo-charged teenager's face”
Anand’s saying was as much true last year as this year and who knows for how many more years to come…….
This is Brownstown’s 6th year in DCL and their 6th clash with MegaBytes in Play-Offs (2 QF and 4 SF). For some reason the lady luck enjoys this game so much that she doesn’t want to take a chance till the Final and makes sure that these 2 meet before the big game.
MB leads the score tally in the previous 5 outings with the score of 3/2 (MB 3 – BT 2)
This year’s MegaBytes is much stronger and looked poised to wipe off any opponent (specially now with GLCC out of picture). One still feels that their destiny rests in the reliable hands of Goutham, Binod, Jeet, Hari and Raghu. But with the addition of Matta, Praveen Kumar and Aditya, they have a star studded team who have enough fire power to over come a few set backs. With a strong bowling attack backed by tall batting order, MB looks too hot to be handled and appears as favorites to take this game.
On the other hand Brownstown who had struggled much of the regular season with their team combination, have finally managed to place a full strength side in their previous outing and are expected to play the same outfit against Megs. They are coming from two comfortable run chases, albeit against much weaker bowling attacks. This will be a real test for their batsmen, specially their openers (who were phenomenal in both wins). For Brownstown Rehan Bukhari holds the key as BT will rely on him to fire with both bat and ball to claim an upset win.
Now that a GLCC/MB final is out of question, this is the most anticipated game for the DCL fans. Just like one of the fans pointed this to be more exciting than the Ind/Pak Champions Trophy game and one feels that the game of cricket will turn out as real winner, regardless of who wins the game……

Dil Se - from Rehan about - 'most under rated yet effective - Tariq Ahmad'

Cricket is a team game but quite often we hear about few stars. It is time to talk about those guys who remain silent and never get into news. These guys are committed team players and do things that nobody notices, some take wickets and some score runs - some provide much required energy to the team and sometimes do things that don’t get reflected in score cards. I call them "most under rated yet effective". It is time to recognize those great never seen, never talked about guys. I would like start this series by thanking most talented Mr Rehan Mallick, former captain of Brownstown. His motive is simple "recognize those great guys" and motivate other team's captains to do the same.

Thanks again Rehan

DCL Blog

Dil Se - from Rehan

Most under rated yet effective - Tariq Ahmad

Brownstown's team strength lies in having a balance in their bowling and batting. They don't have many outstanding Star performer but everyone contributes on his day that helps the cause. Brownstown's bowling is led by stalwarts like Javed and Mujahid. Rehan Bukhari's addition last year added a new dimension to their strength.

However there is one figure that usually remains unnoticed but have played significant role in Brownstown's success over a long period of time. This figure is ever charming and smiling personality of Tariq Ahmad. He keeps a low profile, gets to the bowling mark whenever asked by his captain, gives away very few runs, takes one or two early wicket and gets the job done for his team. It is usually his early break through with the new ball that makes in roads for star bowlers and makes their job easy.

Falcons will never forget him when he single handedly took the play-off game away from them in 2005, which led Brownstown to the championship title. Falcons were all set to take the game and were probably planning for next play-off game, needing only 14 runs in 6 overs, with 6 wickets in hands. Their opener Sandeep was at the crease playing a gem of an innings. In comes Tariq to bowl the 20th over. Three wickets fell in that over , Brownstown won the game by 6 runs and eventually won the tournament but not too many people remember that if it wasn't the heroics of Tariq Ahmad , then the history would have written differently.

To be continued