After suffering back-to-back losses, Zurich Lions displayed intense and spirited resilience to secure a much-needed victory against Olten Youth.
Date & Time: 16 June 2024 | 1630 hrs CET
Venue: Winterthur
Competition: Cricket Switzerland T20 Competition
Toss: Olten Youth won the toss and elected to Field
Result: Zurich Lions won by 13 Runs
On a pleasant Sunday evening, Olten Youth won the toss and chose to field. Ashwin and Kanishk started the proceedings cautiously against Olten Youth, who continuously rotated six bowlers during the powerplay. Ashwin executed some exquisite shots over the offside, maintaining a steady flow of runs on the scoreboard. However, at the other end, ZLCC suffered two quick setbacks: Kanishk was run out due to a mix-up while running between the wickets, followed by Ankush's dismissal within the powerplay, leaving the score at 42/2. Senthil joined Ashwin and began to rotate the strike, but the runs were not flowing freely due to the disciplined bowling from Olten and also the batsmen refrained from taking risks during the consolidation phase. Eventually, after having watched carefully, Senthil was dismissed cheaply. Shortly after, Akash also fell, leaving the score at 71/4 after 11 overs.
Ashwin anchored one end firmly with occasional boundaries, while Mayank promptly launched an aggressive assault on the opposition bowlers, significantly boosting the batting side's momentum. Mayank capitalized on loose deliveries, displaying graceful cricketing strokes that fascinated the dugout, ending in a score of 43 (26) balls , featuring 4*6s & 2*4s. The partnership between them, worth 70 runs in 7 overs, proved to be crucial in the context of the match. Ashwin reached his well-deserved half-century with elegant shots and concluded his innings on 60(45) balls, which included 3*6s & 5*4s. In the end, Mayur played his part, launching a six before his dismissal. The final over yielded only two runs, thereby concluding ZLCC's innings at 153/8 after 20 overs.
Ashwin and Mayank emerged as the standout batsmen for ZLCC, with JK Perumal taking 3 wicket s, while the other Olten bowlers each managed to take a wicket.
Given the variable bounce on Winterthur pitch , the total was defendable, especially considering the prowess of ZLCC's pace and spin bowlers. Omid and Kanishk began with sheer pace and swing, causing numerous plays and misses. Despite delivering continuous dot balls, both bowlers created a few chances but Lions failed to capitalize crucial catches . Omid bowled his full quota of overs on a trot, conceding 13 runs and taking a wicket when the score stood at 21/2 after 7 overs. Ashwin, Mayur, and Osama bowled in tandem, maintaining consistent pressure on the Olten batters, resulting in them being 73/3 after 14 overs.
Qismat Zadran was anchoring one end with powerful sixes, well supported by JK Perumal. With 60 runs needed in the last 5 overs and 7 wickets in hand, both set batsmen began to aggressively attack and exploit loose deliveries from the ZLCC bowlers. Ashwin broke the partnership in the 18th over with Olten youth needing 36 runs off 3 overs, by picking up an key wicket of Zadran 73 (56 balls– 5*6s & 4*4s). Kanishk took an exceptional running catch at long-on, proving to be a crucial breakthrough. However, in the same over, Farid wasted no time and dispatched two sixes over mid-wicket to reduce the required runs, before he was dismissed by good catch from Sheshu.
Mayur was brought in for the penultimate over to showcase his experience, with Olten needing 23 runs from 2 overs and a set batsmen still at the crease. He exhibited remarkable temperament and skill in his bowling, claiming the crucial wicket of JK Perumal with a sensational catch taken by Najeeb at deep mid-wicket under pressure. Mayur conceded just 5 runs in the over, which proved to be decisive in the match outcome. This left 18 runs for Osama to defend in the final over and Osama displayed his bowling prowess by conceding only 4 runs, securing a comfortable 13-run victory for ZLCC .
Qismat Zadran and JK Perumal were the standout batsmen for Olten Youth, with Mayur (4-0-29-2) and Ashwin (4-0-38-2) picking up two wickets each, while the other ZLCC bowlers also contributed with a wicket each.
Despite notable vital performances from Mayank, Omid, and Mayur, Ashwin was adjudged the Man of the Match for his brilliant all-round performance, scoring a half-century and taking 2 wickets.
by
Senthil on behalf of Zurich Lions