FPs enjoy Lahore Karahi Feast

FPs picked up a very impressive win by 33 runs as they defeated Lahore Karahi in an entertaining encounter.  Tom Booth hit a superb 91 as FPs were all out for 190, before Sajid Hameed (4-36) and Vijay Vijapur (2-36) demolished the top order to reduce Karahi to 31 for 6 inside 10 overs, all 6 wickets clean bowled.  A superb innings of 64 not out from Imran and some spectacular hitting from number 11 Ali (39) was not enough as spinner Roland Knudson chipped in with 3 for 42 to close out the win.

FPs were forced into numerous changes with Williams, Parminter, Sam Knudson and  Paul McDonald unavailable and Harry Mapplebeck injured.  In came Swiergon and Adams for debuts along with Stuart, Vijapur and Davey as FPs lined up Morrison, Keith, Swiergon, Booth, Senthil, Davey, Vijapur, Adams, Hameed, Stuart and Knudson.  Morrison as normal lost the toss and FPs were not too upset to be asked to bat.

They made good progress, with Morrison twice finding the boundary and Keith also driving a four, before Morrison, fell trying to hook a bouncer but only managing a thin edge onto his body and the ball lobbed to slip as he fell for 19.  Swiergon soon followed, bowled for a 2nd ball duck and it was 35 for 3 when Ali claimed his third wicket Keith being bowled for 11.

Senthil joined Booth and they added 49 in good time, running intelligently and hitting the bad balls for 4.  Senthil however fell LBW to Sunny for 8.  Davey and Booth moved FPs to 99, but Davey fell for 15, superbly caught one handed off Sunny’s bowling.  Booth needed some sustained report and Vijapur hung in as part of a 16 run stand but an aggressive shot ended in him losing his middle stump.

Booth carried on unperturbed, running the majority of his runs with careful placement, but FPs subsided to 127 for 8 as Adams was adjudged caught at the wicket rather unfortunately and Hameed tried to smash a straight ball and lost his middle stump for 2.  Stuart stuck around as another 15 were added and Booth passed 50, but Stuart was also bowled by Ali as FPs slipped  to 140 for 9.

Luckily for FPs they had Roland Knudson at 11 and he and Booth batted superbly in what was ultimately a match winning stand of 50.  Booth really opening up with some lusty blows and Knudson twice unleashing ferocious cuts for 4.  They even had time for an all run four, which Knudson did well to survive and were ticking along nicely when Booth was the last man out 9 short of a deserved century (9×4, 1×6).  It was Ali’s 5th wicket and left FPs on a reasonable 190 all out.

FPs needed some early wickets and after a quiet opening 5 overs, Vijapur landed a big blow for FPs bowling both Ali and Taheen for 11 and 4 respectively in the space of 5 balls.  Hameed then decimated the rest of the top order in a 12 ball burst as he clean bowled Arshad (0), Sunny (0), Irfan (0) and Daman (4) in a magical display of swing bowling.  He was very close to a hat trick having taken 2 in 2 balls, but a keen LBW appeal was going over the top.

Waqaas was run out in farcical circumstances as Imran pushed the ball to Morrison at cover who easily picked it up and underarmed to keeper Booth, Imran managing to persuade Waqaas to sacrifice himself just before Booth removed the bails with both men at the same end, Lahore Karahi 44 for 7.  Imran was batting with a real air of class and he gained support from Zubair as they added 56, FPs trying both Adams and Stuart to no avail.  However, the wily Knudson had Zubair superbly caught by Morrison at mid wicket, diving forward to claim a catch an inch from the turf.

The game looked to be all over as Imran was brilliantly stumped by Booth, only for the square leg umpire to inexplicably rule it not out, despite everyone at the ground realising the decision was incorrect.  Skipper Morrison made his views clear as did various players on what had transpired and it brought a real sour note to a game played in a good spirit before this.  The umpire then immediately replaced himself, perhaps realising the error he had made.  Knudson then had Vicky LBW for 7 as FPs appeared to be nearly over the line.

However, there was to be one last twist as Ali launched a blistering assault, smashing an aggressive 39 in no time including 5 4s and a six.  He added 57 with Imran as Lahore Karahi threatened an improbable win and FPs did not help themselves as Swiergon and Booth missed chances off one Knudson over and Adams failed to claim a very tough chance off Hameed.  However, Knudson eventually bowled Ali, the decision confirmed when umpire Sutherland raised the finger, Knudson finishing with 3 for 42.

Imran’s innings of 64* was most impressive and if he had gained more support, then it is likely Kahore Karahi would have won, however, Vijapur and Hameed’s opening spell all but won the game.  FPs were also greatly indebted to Booth’s 91 and Roland Knudson deserves credit for excellent batting and great display with the ball.  Next up for FPs is Knightriders who beat Mannofield to show their credentials.

 

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