Scintilla seconds go second after blitzing Newham

Emdad Rahman

A devastating post-Ramadan and Eid performance saw Scintilla Cricket Club turn on the style in their Essex County Cricket League clash with Newham Cricket Club.

A lively atmosphere at the game saw senior members, friends and family turn out to support the second team. The Scintilla senior team were not playing as their opponents from Ace Cricket Club had pulled out. The great away support, outnumbering that of the home team, proved to be a timely boost to the bowlers and batsmen on show. The away team dominated the game from start to finish at Flanders Field and the Bobby Moore Pavilion.

Zahied Hossain

Scintilla romped home after racking up 361/6 before tea. The visitors won the toss and decided to bat first. Zahied Hossain was clinical with the bat as the opener etched out a textbook 144 not out. Hossain’s match exploits deservedly won him the man of the match award.

Khizir Mohammed steadied after a nervy start to add a very sturdy 42. The Scintilla wicket keeper’s partnership with Hossain was a key factor in his team mate almost reaching 150 runs. Moin Arefin struck 39 runs with Walid Ahmed, 38 and Yasin Arafat 30. Usman achieved figures of 9-0-57-3 for Newham.

With the team on the crest of a wave, Scintilla carried out a mercy killing as Newham were all bowled out for 90. Walid Ahmed’s exploits would have won him the man of the match award on any other match day. The pace bowler ripped open the Newham batting, registering 18/5 from 9 overs. Rifat Mahmud was in no charitable mood and registered 12/3 from 9 overs, Shaha Riadh 1/1 from 2 overs and Raj Ramakrishnan took 13/1 from 3 overs to steer Scintilla home by 271 runs.

Man of the match Zahied Hossain said: “We had excellent support both on and off the field today. Scoring a century is a great feeling and something I hope to experience again and again for this team.”

Walid Ahmed

Fast bowler Walid Ahmed added: “Everything clicked perfectly and our performances were boosted by having a big crowd come along and support us. It was a carnival atmosphere and I’m pleased that Scintilla took centre stage with a top performance.”

Scintilla captain Shaha Riadh summed up the day: “This was a crucial victory for the team. It was important to remain focussed after the Eid celebrations yesterday to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Our club captain Ahmed Choudhury bought along Jalebis and the boys responded with a sweet victory and maximum points.

“Eid Mubarak to everyone who is celebrating!”

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