Zubair, Ali shine in ERCC’s win over Hillhead
By Afzal Shaikh – 22nd June 2019
Mohammed Zubair’s five wicket haul and Ali Qazi’s brilliant ton outplayed Hillhead in Saturday’s WDCU Division 2 League match.
Batting first Hillhead got off to a most desirable start on a surprisingly sunny day at Stirling’s lush green and beautiful New Williamfield ground.
Hillhead lost their first wicket in the form of skipper Alistair Fergus (30) leg before off the orthodox spin bowling from Nayyar Umeed.
Inform youngster Jack Holland and Hasan Azhar made a solid 95-run third wicket partnership before Zubair knocking Hasan’s stumps for 30.
Jack went on to make 88 but didn’t get much support from the other end.
Hillhead once looked at 300+ runs managed 236/8 in 50 overs thanks to Zubair who bowled superbly in his second spell for an outstanding 5-43 (9.5 overs).
“I was struggling to get my line and length right with the new ball, but as I changed ends and the ball was a bit older it did the trick,” admitted Zubair who is now the leading wicket taker in the league.
ERCC openers Ali Qazi and Mohammed Sabir batted stylishly to put in an opening stand of 159 when Mohammed got out leg before off Deepak Yadav following hamstring.
With 78 runs to win and 9 wickets in hand it seemed like walk in the park for ERCC, but the tables had turned and the batting collapsed.
Ali scored the first century of the league but shortly got out caught Jack Holland off John Ferguson 115.
Hillhead had an upper hand with ERCC 13 runs behind and 2 wickets in hand, but all-rounder Nauman Javaid 25 not out and captain Afzal Shaikh 3 not out got ERCC through a 2-wicket win.
In the other match, ERCC 2nd Glasgow South lost to Bees by 161 runs.
On Saturday, 29/6, ERCC will take on Williamfield at New Williamfield while Glasgow South meet Glenpark.