Mani scored his first century in NYPD play, pix by Dyon Ravello

By Dyon Ravello

Stallion won the toss and elected to bowl against Lycans at Gateway Oval in Brooklyn. Lycan were set back by early strikes from Stallions quick Jazeeb Tariq who ripped througt the top order with three wickets. Lycans recovered to score 141/9  with their main batsman Sayed top scoring with 30.  Jazeeb had support from his younger brother Zayib who scalped two wickets to curb the late innings run flow. Stallions were in early trouble as national youth player Zayib Tariq was bowled off the second ball from left arm seamer Foysol.  Captain Jazeeb looked to repair the damage as he mixed sound defense with lusty srtokeplay. Jazeeb lost two partners as he was joined by the dangerous Abrar Zafar. The two look to gauge their target but Lycans were not having any of it as Jazeeb fell for 43 followed by Abrar caught at the wicket. Stallions slumped to 110 all out in 17.2. Rifat with three wickets to led Lycans end as group winners.

Predators batted first in game two at Gateway scoring  149, Punjab captain Imran “Mani” Mazhar snared three wickets to peg the opposition. Mahzar returned to open the batting pouncing on the clueless Predator attack. Mahzar clubbed the ball to all regions of the park as he got to 98 with the scores even. Mazhar was supported by Awais Shah who helped to keep him cool as he stroked the winning boundary to mid wicket. Mazhar scoring his first career hundred following numerous near misses.  Punjab closing on153/3 to finish  second in their group behind Lycans.

Night Owls scored 200 plus for the second time in the tournament with  captain Syed Hussain with an unbeaten 77, and Hasib 53. Night Owls scoring 230/6 in 19 overs with play called for an overly slow over rate. Knight Riders faced with their third chase and their third chase in excess of 225.  PJ Saha 37 top scored for the whipping boys as  I Khan claimed a tournament best seven wicket haul to rout the Knight Riders for 99 to complete a hapless 2012 campaign. Night Owls advance to the quarterfinals with a comprehensive 131 run victory.

Carmichael NYPD top run scorer with 291 runs, photo by Dyon Ravello

Brooklyn Knights faced Kryptonites in a virtual knockout affair as the two battled for the final playoff berth as Superstars, Night Owls and Daredeveils had already booked their places. Batting first Brooklyn Knights were given a competitive total 129/7  with Ayaz providing the impetus top scoring with 52. For Kryptonites Syed and Nueed picked up 2 wickets each.  Kryptonites never seemed like they would make a mess of the chase as the Brooklynites tactics were slight improved from their previous display against the Owls. Antu played a captain’s knock to lead his side home with an unbeaten 30 to resist Bilal Zee’s three wicket haul. Kryptonites 130/4 eliminating the Brooklynites from NYPD play.

Daredevils took on the flawless Superstars in a truly academic affair as both team had already advance to the next phase of the tournament. Daredevils got to 63/3 as the fixture was called due to threatening weather. The abandonment cost both teams valuable points which may have given more favorable quarterfinal draws. Superstars finished second and will meet defending champ Stallions, with Daredevils third to draw a fixture with Punjab.

The group phase was not without its tense moments as Richmond Hill look to overcome their playoff jinx of yesteryear. They met Dragons in the final group encounter with both teams having identical records. Simply put only a win would suffice for either side. Richmond Hill batting first scored 97/5 in 12 overs, reduced due to inclement whether.  Sajeed Salam scalped two wickets to keep the target in reach.  Dragons were never daunted as Trinson Carmichael and Zafar Yusuf partnered with 94 runs for the first wicket. Carmichael thumping 62 to take his tournament tally to 291, the tournament leader as Dragons strolled home  to win with 28 balls to spare, 98/1 in 7.2 overs. Dragons will look to overcome their inconsistency when they meet Night Owls in the next round. Lycans will play Kryptonites to complete the quarterfinal draw when play resumes.

Group A.                                               Group B.

Night Owls 4-1-0                            Lycans 4-1-0

Superstar 4-0-1                              Punjab  3-2-0

Daredevils 3-1-1                               Dragons 3-2-0

Kryptonites 2-3-0                            Stallions 3-2-0

Brooklyn Knights 1-4-0                 Richmond Hill 2-3-0

Knight Riders 0-5-0                        Predators 0-5-0

NYPD play will resume following the completion of Ramadan, the Islam holy month of Fasting with the playoff leg of the tournament. Quarter Finals fixture:

1. Night Owls play Dragons                                             2. Lycans v. Kryptonites

3. Stallions tackle Superstars                                        4. Daredevils face Punjab

SemiFinal

a. Winner of 1 v Winner of 4                                         b. Winner of 2 v. Winner of 3

Final

Semifinal Winners A and B
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