Agha Haider batted brilliantly but had too much to do.
Brothers-in-law Agha Haider and Hasnain Javaid launched an spirited onslaught for FPs but their swashbuckling stand off 130 was not enough for FPs as they ran out of steam and Inverurie ran out convincing winners by 81 runs. After Inverurie racked up 278 for 4 and FPs slipped to 4 for 3 it looked like it was going to another embarrassing defeat for FPs but the perhaps unlikely duo had FPs believing the impossible was on only for Haider to be unluckily stumped off the keepers pads for 66 and Javaid to fall soon after for 64 as the chase fell away. Earlier Jordan Thom made an excellent 81 not out and Fraser Lawrance 82 for the hosts, Thom then added 5 for 24 in an fine bowling display.
FPs selection woes continued with Gill injured and a plethora of players unavailable for varying reasons. This aside, FPs were able to welcome back Karan Anand and Geoff Morrison. Jim Lee also came in and took the gloves as FPs lined up Keith, Nattrass, Haider, Swiergon (c), Anand, Javaid, Morrison, Poosappadi, Lee (w), Knudson, Sood. FPs astonishingly won a toss and Swiergon decided to field.
Despite Sood and Prash managing to beat the bat on a number of occasions, no clear chances were created in the opening 15 overs as Inverurie made good progress to 80 for no wicket. It took skipper Swiergon to bring himself on for FPs to find a breakthrough. He struck 3 times in quick succession, Norval driving firmly to mid off, Javaid snapping him up for 37, Watson fell straight away, tamely chipping to a grateful Anand at point for 3 and when Prash took a superb diving catch to remove the non believing Strachan for a fine 54, FPs were firmly back in the game.
It was nearly even better as Sood was unfortunate to spill a very difficult diving chance. It was the last chance that FPs would create for some time as Lawrance and Thom batted beautifully to make 82 and 81 not out respectively. Sood’s day was not going so well and having being left in complete disbelief after what some viewed as a routine LBW was turned down he then dropped a catch dislocating his finger in the process, thankfully it is expected to make a full recovery. Anand did get a token LBW decision late in the piece, Lawrance given out for 82 as FPs claimed a 4th, however it was the brilliant strokeplay of Lawrance and Thom that had setup Inverurie for almost certain victory.
The bowling figures made grim reading, with only Swiergon having any real success. Prash 5-0-35-0, Sood 7-0-50-0, Knudson 5-0-29-0, Anand 8-0-54-1, Swiergon 8-1-39-3, Haider 7-0-47-0.
Needing a good start in an improbable chase of 278, FPs predictably started terribly as Keith played on in the 2nd over for 1 to Thom and Thom also claimed Nattrass edging behind for a duck as FPs slipped to 4 for 2. FPs showed their fairplay giving out their own captain LBW a few balls later for a duck to Thom as they slipped to 4 for 3.
A perplexed Haider had watched this all unfold and promptly belted 3 boundaries to lift FPs spirits. Anand joined the fun with a 6 and 4 as FPs came to life. Unfortunately Anand’s stay was all too brief as he edged behind for 11. Hasnain Javaid like his brother had been promoted in the order and he and Haider produced a fine counter attack, playing all manner of shots as FPs launched an improbable pitch at victory. The Inverurie bowlers had little answer to their carefree approach as they hit 4s and 6s all round the wicket and put on 130 in good time. Both had passed 50 but were perhaps tiring when Haider was unluckily stumped for 66 off the wily Hadden. Perhaps knowing the game was up Javaid fell soon after well bowled by the returning Lawrence for 64 as FPs faltered.
All FPs could do was aim for 175 now for full batting points and a combination of Prash 10, Lee 10no and Knudson 14 saw FPs reach 197 all out against the 7 remaining Inverurie men.
Inverurie were deserving winners and Thom and Lawrance both batted and bowled magnificently. For FPs Haider and Javaid showed the way with the bat. Next up for FPs is another tough game against Bon Accord as FPs desperately chase a win. Injury and unavailability is again likely to be a huge issue.
Man of the Match
The most chilled man in cricket, Agha Haider just gets the nod over Hasnain as he started the enterprise giving FPs hope at one point.
Champagne Moment
The apparent carefree attitude throughout the Haider/Javaid stand, there were many shots that cheered their team mates.
