By Mark Audain

Following the torrential showers of Saturday 8th September which resulted in a freak tornado in Canarsie, the grounds had dried sufficient at Brooklyn Cricket League hosted its first final of the 2012 season. League leaders Panthers faced league runners up at Marine Park C in the third meeting of both teams this season. Like during the regular season both Panthers and Travel Treat topped all comers on the BCL 35 overs knockout competition.

Panthers batted first and scoring 163 all out from 35 overs, Nousherwan Adil top scored with a majestic 53 (1 x 4, 4 x 6s), as he had good support  from Abdul Qayyum with 27, and Boom Boom Asim with 19. Bowling for Travel Treat, Abrar Zafar had figures of  6/0/19/3, Imran 4/1/12/2, and Zahib Tariq 7/0/45/2. Travel Treat were up for the task with Zafar Iqbal top scoring with a business like 39. Abrar put in an all round performance with a gritty 34 and Jazeb Tariq played a cameo for 29. Travel Treat falling a mere three runs short, 160 all out. Bowling for Panthers, off spinner Salman Ahmad was the pick of the bowlers with 7/0/29/2, as Nousherwan Adil had 7/0/30/2, and Bilal Adil 6/0/30/1. Amid the frenetic atmosphere Travel Treat were undone by five run outs, as Panthers ran out BCL knockout championship for the 2nd consecutive year.

Panthers held on for a narrow three run victory to retain the Brooklyn Cricket League Crown. Photo by Mark Audain

Panthers and Travel Treat will both be in action again on Saturday 15th when they play Sheffield and Middlesex respective in the Brooklyn League semifinals, game time HIGH NOON at Marine Park A and C. You just got to be there!