Pegasus sail past International a

The 2008 season kick off weekend had all the top teams in Division 1 in action. Pegasus CC played an under strength International CC on overcast Saturday morning. With the weather conditions and a green top wicket, the team winning the toss should have opted to bowl. However, International chose to bat due to a shortage of players at starting time. International began cautiously as the Pegasus big boys Elmore Hutchinson and Hasan Imam tried to get some early breakthroughs. Elmore coming after a 6 month break bowled with ferocity and managed to pick up 2 wickets before leaving the field due to injury. Hasan Imam was penetrative and unlucky as edges flew past fielders. Suresh Nair was his accurate self putting a choke hold on the runs. Sameer Jafri bowled his teasing seamers and picked up 2 very vital wickets. Adil and Nasir staged a comeback for International with a 66 run partnership. However, in came Ali Shafi and removed both of them in successive deliveries. Mushi Khan (3 wickets) and Jawaid Motiwala (1 wicket) wrapped up the tail, restricting International to 188 all out in 43 overs. Pegasus started out in a shaky manner losing Sameer Jafri and their new captain Zeeshan Khamisani in quick succession to new ball bowler Asif. The Pegasus mainstay of Nazim Shirazi and Ali Shafi responded with calm and composure, building a steady 74 run partnership inching Pegasus towards their target of 189. Nazim notched his 1st 50 of the season. There was a slight tremble in the chase as Pegasus lost Nazim, Ali, Sunil and Jawaid to some good bowling by Bobby and Sohail. They took 2 wickets each. However, on the crease was the ever green, always dangerous, “blast from the past”, Haider Raza. He cut, drove, flicked with ease and managed to take his side home in the 43rd over. His 45 vital runs underlined the fact that he is still a force to be reckoned with. High points of the game were the show of responsibility and strength by the Pegasus seniors and the support by the juniors. There were many missed chances during the game by both sides, but being the first game of this long 2008 season, both teams probably identified areas to work on going forward. Umpiring was consistent and the game was played in good spirits. Good luck to both teams for the rest of the season.