Emdad Rahman
A scorching performance in the blazing heat saw Scintilla Cricket Club consolidate top spot at Oakfield in the Essex County Cricket League Championship Division 1.
With hot weather warnings indicating a potential national emergency situation over the next few days it was left to Ishaq Shawn’s men to swelter in the heat to grind out an important win.
Scintilla won the toss and elected to bat. A 121 run partnership between Jahidul Haque and Adil Ijaz formed the bedrock for the rest of the game.
Vice captain Ijaz recorded the highest score for his team with 73 off 47 balls. He was joined by Haque on 48, Shawn (42) and Salauddin Ahmed (39).
Three wickets after tea from the quick fire Rifat Mahmud set the tone but the mood dissipated as Spartans dug deep.
Four wickets from Sajal Rahman, Shawn and Haque, who took the prize wicket of David King on 77 were enough to record a Scintilla win by 73 runs.
Man of the match Ijaz dedicated the win to his team mates, “They are selfless and put the team first. This creates an atmosphere where each and everyone of us is a potential match winner – Well done.”
Scintilla Captain Ishaq Shawn is calling for more from his charges.
He said, “There are lots of areas for improvement as far as I am concerned. We are now at the stage where every single team will come back hard and we are determined to fully respect each and every opponent we face. Every single drop of sweat needs to be shed and we are thinking of nothing else but the next game.”