Eszrafiq Hits First Ton Of The Division 1 50 Overs League 2010

In the National Division 1 League between Johor and Penang at the Johor Cricket Academy Oval, both teams had to be contented with one win each - Penang winning the first and Johor the second match.

IN THE FIRST MATCH on the 26th of June 2010, Johor's unexpected "butter-fingers" fielding and a less than mediocre bowling effort allowed Penang to knock up 297 runs for 5 wickets in the stipulated 50 overs. A second wicket partnership of 132 runs between Darvin Murali and Keithan Goona (sons of Penang Cricket's President Murali and Deputy President Dr. Goona respectively) assisted Penang to 170 runs before Darvin was caught by Eszrafiq Ab Azis off the bowling of Rakesh Mahadevan for 93 runs. This was followed by another brilliant show of excellent strokeplay for the third wicket by Keithan and Sri Lankan Kushan Asela enabling Penang to 243 runs at 44.3 overs when Keithan was clean bowled by Eszrafiq Ab Azis for 87 runs. Penang blasted another 54 runs in the last 5.3 overs with Kushan not out on 65 runs. Skipper Eszrafiq bowled well taking 2 wickets for 46 runs in 10 overs.

Johor's innings started with Arif Abbasi's aggresion paying the price when he fell at score 31 runs for 12 runs. Syahadat (7 runs) followed soon at 51 and Rakesh Mahadevan (28 runs) and Ammar Rusli (duck) were back with the scoreboard at 59 runs for 4 wickets. Eszrafiq (43 runs) played diligently and apart from Firdaus Rusli's 28 runs, there was nothing to crow about Johor's batting display - all out for 171 runs in 34 overs. Darvin Murali (4 wickets for 44 runs) and Kevintheran (3 wickets for 32 runs) were the main wicket-takers. Kushan Asela, Pavitren and Shankar Goona had 1 wicket each.

Final Scores:

Penang: 297 for 5 wickets in 50 overs.

Johor: 171 all out in 34 overs.

Penang won by 126 runs.

IN THE SECOND MATCH on the 27th of June 2010, a rejuvenated Johor elected to bat after winning the toss in a match reduced to 42 overs due to showers in the first session. Arif Abbasi once again mistimed a short delivery from Kavintheran and was caught by Shahul Hameed at the score of 15 runs in 2.4 overs. Syahadat (22 runs) and Rakesh Mahadevan (18 runs) played cautiously to carry the score to 52 runs in 11 overs when Darvin Murali had Rakesh caught in what was a grounded ball off Mega Kuhan. The umpire raised his finger only after a good 15 seconds following persistent appeals from Penang players and many a connoisseur of this noble game was stunned as to why the square leg umpire was not consulted when in doubt. Seven runs later Syahadat lost his concentration to sky one up to Thomas Matthew off Mega Kuhan. But skipper Eszrafiq Ab Azis patiently built up his innings controlling the strike and receiving good support from youngsters Ammar Rusli (8 runs in 18 balls) and Aliman Ahmad (3 runs in 14 balls) and Johor were 123 runs for 5 wickets in 23.5 overs. Eszrafiq received further support from Vickneswaran (9 runs in 13 balls) and upon calling for the batting power-play at the 30th over,  he along with Firdaus Rusli (15 runs in 19 balls) went berserk sending the leather all round the Oval to reach his well earned 102 runs off 80 balls. At 39.2 overs he succumbed to a catch by Darvin off Kushan Asela and walked off to an all round applause from Penang's players and a standing ovation from the crowd. Johor were finally contented with 239 runs for 9 wickets in 42 overs. Kavintheran (4 wickets for 48 runs), Kushan Asela (2 for 24), Megakuhan (2 for 20) and Darvin Murali (1 for 55) were Penang's wicket takers.

Penang's openers Darvin Murali (15 runs in 25 balls) and skipper Thomas Matthew (10 runs in 37 balls) began very cautiously against some accurate seam bowling of Arif Abbasi and Rakesh Mahadevan and by the 10th over both were back in the pavilion for a modest total of 29 runs. Keithan Goona was out for a duck in the very next over. The next Penang pair of Niket Lulla (24 runs in 47 balls) and Pavitheran (8 runs in 29 balls) were further restricted by tight fielding and a tidy length of wily spin from Eszrafiq and the medium pace of Hazrul Zainal. When 6 Penang wickets had fallen for 88 runs in 27.5 overs, it appeared to be a foregone conclusion as Penang needed a run rate of 10.85 runs in the remaining 14.1 overs. But a late surge of aggresive batting by Sri Lankan Kushan Asela (43 runs) and able support from Shahul Hameed (23 runs) gave Penang some ray of hope. The pair added 40 runs in exactly the same number of balls and when Kushan was out with the score 128 for 7 wickets in 34.4 overs did Johor find some relief. With 112 runs required in 45 balls, the remaining Penang batsmen prodded to a final tally of 161 for 8 wickets in the stipulated 42 overs. Arif Abbasi (2 wickets for 15 runs in overs), Ammar Rusli (2 for 47 in 8 overs), Eszrafiq (1 for 14 in 9 overs), Rakesh Mahadevan (1 for 32 in 9 overs) and Hazrul Zainal (1 for 30 in 7 overs) were the toast of Johor's tight bowling.

A notable feature in this match was the recall of Thomas Matthew who was earlier given out to a grounded ball. Johor skipper Eszrafiq sportingly called him back onto the field. Both matches were played in great spirit.

Final Scores:

Johor: 239 for 9 wickets in 42 overs.

Penang : 161 for 8 wickets in 42 overs.

Johor won by 78 runs.