New boy Imran Ahmadzai’s first over was a joy to behold. First ball, the normally rock-solid Gagan chipped an ineffectual drive straight to mid-on. The second ball was called ‘no ball’ as it shaved a millimetre of stubble from Jibon. Thus dissuaded from coming too far forward, the third ball shattered his stumps. Shazeib fared no better, having his middle stump uprooted next ball. 3 wickets in 3 legal balls. With Ali having removed the dangerous Moby in the first over, Damazan were on the precipice at 2 runs for 4 wickets. More later…..

Earlier on, skipper Owais had lost the toss and was invited to bat on a low, slow, early season wicket. Most of the batsmen struggled. Imran and Parneet hung about but Adnan couldn’t see what all the fuss was about. There were shades of his ‘annus mirabilis’ as he swatted the bowlers for 5 sixes including a marvellous punch over cover. He reached his fifty out of a total of only 66. Sadly, he was removed shortly after. Asad and Nigel were circumspect, and the run rate slowed. Damazan niggled away, worrying the batsmen with line and length. One by one, frustration set in and the wickets began to fall. Only a flurry of boundaries from Rahmad and Zabitullah took the total to a paltry 129. Zabiullah’s 16 not out was the next highest score after Adnan’s 50. Even more criminal was the fact that Eymet only used 29 of their allotted 35 overs.

Floundering on 2 for 4 after Imran’s over, Damazan sent in Sarwan to stonewall the bowling. This he and Redwan did successfully. The score crawled up to 46 before Sarwan was run out after a stolid 2 from 53 balls! Zahed then had the dangerous Redwan caught by Gurwinder (Sandeep) after a valuable 26. Eymet began to see the light as Adnan held Akhtar off the persevering Zahed. Damazan wobbling again at 54 for 7. However, this just brought Dalim and Hisbullah together. After tight spells both Nigel and Ali took some punishment as the sixes began to flow. Bowling changes were to no avail until Owais recalled Imran. Damazan edged towards the total before Imran found the speed to beat Hisbullah. 124 for 8. Could Imran do it again? Richard didn’t know much about the next ball but sadly it squirted through for a bye. The nonchalant Dalim ended the contest whacking the following delivery for another six.

What a game of cricket! How the lead oscillated throughout the afternoon. But, Eymet only had themselves to blame. With only 2 exceptions, most Eymet batsmen got themselves out through frustration. Generally, the fielding and bowling were of a good standard though. 25 more runs could have made the difference and Eymet rued those 6 unused overs. In the end Damazan took over 32 overs to chase.

RESULT: LOSS by 2 wickets

EYMET 129 all out off 29 overs (Mohammed Adnan 50)

DAMAZAN 130 for 8 off 32.3 overs (Dalim 39*, Imran 4-18, Zahid 2-29)

EYMET: Owais Muhammed (capt), Mohmmed Adnan (keeper), Imran Ahmadzai, Parneet Singh, Asad Iqbal, Nigel Jones, Sandeep Singh, Zabitullah, Ali Khan, Rahmad Ahmadzai, Zahed Khan.