Khrew, Pulwama: In a nail-biting semifinals played at Aazad stadium, Khrew, in south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on November 19, the star-studded Mukarram XI beat the FCC Lasjan by two runs.
Skipper Mohammad Mukarram won the toss and had no hesitation in electing to bat first on a batting paradise. The Mukarram XI’s stylish opening batsman Shahid aka Amla scored a magnificent century. Shahid was ably supported by one-drop batsman Shabir Lefty who scored entertaining 76 runs. The team lost their opening batsman, but then the two S’s, Shahid and Shabir, forged a terrific partnership. The innings of both star batsmen were laced with well-timed boundaries and monstrous sixes.
Former skipper of J&K Ranji team Samiullah Beigh came to bat at number four while another J&K star Abid Nabi came at number five, but by then Shahid and Shabir ensured that the team had over 200 runs on the board in 17 overs.
Mukarram XI put a mammoth 235 on the board in the allotted 20 overs.
Needing 236 runs to win, the FCC Lasjan were jolted early in the piece as Samiullah took two wickets in his opening bowling spell. Poor fielding display, especially dropping nearly a dozen catches, nearly cost the Mukarram XI an important game, but in the end the experienced side with Samiullah Nabi, Abid Nabi, Gowhar Geelani, Adil and Shabir, it won the game by a whisker. The FCC Lasjan needed 84 runs from the last 7 overs, 42 from 12 balls and 24 in the last over. But, in the end, the Mukaram XI confirmed the berth to the finals of the coveted tournament.
The spectators enjoyed every minute of the game, as the game kept swinging like a pendulum from one side to another.
For his excellent ton, Shahid was adjudged player of the match.
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