Sunday 13-06-2021 Glostrup (GCC) vs Køge Division Match (40 overs)

Highlights:

Khizar: 8over-29runs-3wickets
AJ: 5overs-8runs-3wickets
Sameer: 5overs-22runs-3wickets

Weather conditions were beautiful, hot and sunny. GCC won the toss and decided to bat first.WHAT A MATCH! What an amazing team effort, what a beautiful display of bowling, what fielding – this match had everything: adrenalin, nervousness, energy, arguments, pressure, sledging, but most important, GCC had the fighting spirit. Despite the fact that Køge were unbeaten in the division, did not make GCC give up at any point, and they kept backing each other.Køge were charging in with their opening bowlers from the very first bowl and were hitting the deck hard. A lot of bouncers, short deliveries, sledging, negative remarks and Bollywood actor similarities were thrown towards GCC – apparently, we all look like superstars.

GCC openers were struggling to judge the length, which came to show when they lost two early wickets, both openers caught out in over number 2 and 3. GCC 7-2 after 3.0 over.In came the very experienced skipper Fraz and Sammi. Once again, they did not back down from a fight! It was all about finding the gaps, and punishing the bad balls. Sammi, yet again, became the target of the oppositions sledging, but never let his guard down. KABOOM and three 4s and one 6 were smashed over the boundary. Similarly, Fraz was also being targeted by Køges sledging, but there’s a reason we call him captain cool. Fraz kept his composure and did not let it break his concentration – on the contrary, he became more motivated. Persistent and disciplined batting from GCCs two seniors ensured a partnership of 45 runs. Sadly, this was the end of the road, as Sammi had to depart after being given LBW, and Fraz was caught out. A very valuable 23 and 22 runs from each added from each. Mind you, the partnership had shaken things up amongst the Køge players who got very quiet in the field. With frequent changes in their bowling, and no bowler being able to settle, Køge started bowling many wides and no balls – 37 extras were added to GCCs total.

A black cloud was now overseeing GCCs batting line up as they experienced a middle order collapse. Khizar, AJ, Sameer, and Hammad unfortunately had to see themselves beaten by Køges bowling.In came number 9, 10 and 11 – Awais, Sheraz and Arsalan who kept the scoreboard ticking. Beautiful running between the wickets combined with a couple of boundary strokes saw GCCs total bounce up to 142 all out after 33.0 overs.

Køge needs 143 runs to win at 3.5 runs per over – a total you would think is a walk in the park for the unbeaten team in the division. GCC had other plans! GCC were loud in the field from the moment they walked out to bowl. Køge themselves brought the battle to GCC during their bowling, and GCC certainly didn’t have ANY plans of backing out without a fight!GCC opened their bowling with Sheraz and Khizar, and Sheraz managed to cash in on a chance in his very first over (4th ball) by removing the opening batsman. An effortless catch by Khizar at covers saw the Køge opener depart.

A wicket maiden first over from Sheraz – HOWZAT! Khizar, continuing on the good start, decided to join the party. Charging in with a glorious delivery saw the second half of the opening pair being caught out. Both Køge opening batsman out of the game. GCC were pumped!Køges third and fourth batsman turned out to be the nemesis of GCC, or what? The batting pair were getting some clean shots on their bat and managed to establish a partnership of 51 runs – they were cruising towards GCCs shy total of 142. Fraz decided to change the bowling and introduced Awais and Sameer. Nothing else to say other than marvellous bowling by these two. Line and length on spot which made it difficult for Køge to play the ball. This followed by a steamy bouncer from Sameer showcased positive aggression and intent. It didn’t take much long before Sameer got the important wicket of the 3rd batsman (46 runs) in his 3rd over. Cleeeeeeeean bowled! GCC were ecstatic at this point. Sameer was restless, and wanted another scalp.

One important detail here is that skipper Fraz removed himself from the slips, and positioned himself at gully. Boy-O-Boy wasn’t this a crucial decision. Charging in his fourth over with a beautiful delivery at fourth stump, Sameer enforced a cut shot from the batsman straight into the hands of Fraz. 4 wickets down – 6 more to go.In came Køges captain aka ‘Shahrukh Khan’ – during GCCs batting he wasn’t shy of labelling GCC players with Bollywood actor names, and GCC certainly didn’t want to miss out on the chance to reciprocate this favour. Captain was definitely under pressure, and this got the best of him. AJ bowled a beautiful flighted delivery, which he tried to shoot over long on. Sameer was standing tall at the boundary, positioned himself, and took a stunning catch.

GCC could see the light at the end of the tunnel, and were not going to back off from here. Køge needs 50 runs to win, and GCC needs 5 wickets to win.Køge didn’t have any ammunition left from this point onwards – survival mode was on. Fraz decided to mix the bowling and introduced fast bowling from one end, and spin bowling from the opposite end. GCC never looked back from this point. Khizar and AJ, continuing on their good start, managed to regularly take wickets. Batsman number 6 caught out (Khizar), number 7 and 8 clean bowled (Khizar and AJ), and batsman number 9 caught/bowled (AJ). In came Køges last batsman who had the pleasure of facing Sameer. Nevertheless, it didn’t take more than two deliveries before Sameer and GCC appealed and the finger was raised by the umpire – LBW. Køge 108 all out!

Congratulations to GCC on this win!MOM goes to the entire team, as today was an inspiring display of team work. Next match will be on Sunday 20 June 2021 against Frem, at GCCs homeground