GSCK vs Asker

A heartbreaking loss — one run under the D/L method after a rain-shortened 14-over game. So much to be proud of on a night the margins couldn’t have been finer.

Fighting Total from a Tricky Start

Asker won the toss and asked us to bat on a wet, tricky evening. Rain shortened the game to 14 overs a side, and we lost Rijoy on the first ball of the innings — the toughest possible start.

Nithin Nandan stood up when it mattered. His 32 off 22 (five fours, one six, SR 145) was the innings that kept us in the contest. Basil Kuriakose followed with a valuable 14, Ranjit Ramakrishnan Nair chipped in with 11, and Lineesh Puthiyotttum Kandi struck a quick 13 off 10 down the order to push us to 108/6.

Given the conditions and the powerplay collapse, that was a competitive total.

The Bowlers Nearly Pulled It Off

Defending 109 in a 14-over sprint is brutal — and we came within a single run of doing it.

Bibin Thomas was outstanding: 2 overs, 3 wickets for 18 — the spell that almost broke the chase open. Renju Kochumman Raju took 2/13 from his 3 overs, Bibin Devasia struck twice at the death, and Rohith Moothedath grabbed a wicket in the middle.

Waqar Ahmad’s 39 off 27 for Asker was the difference — a clean-striking knock that just about carried them home. In the final over, Ahmad Ali Safi’s 7 off 2 balls (with a six) sealed it by the finest of margins.

Positives from the Loss

• Nithin’s temperament under pressure — 32 in a rain-shortened chase is a captain’s knock in everything but name.
• Bibin Thomas showing what he can do with the new ball.
• Multiple wicket-takers again — five bowlers on the sheet.
• Lower-order runs from Lineesh Puthiyotttum Kandi.

One run. One ball. That’s how close it was. Take the fight, take the learnings, and back it up next game.

Best Performances — Batting

Player	R	B	4s	6s	SR
Waqar Ahmad (Asker)	39	27	2	3	144.44
Nithin Chekkattu Nandan (GSCK)	32	22	5	1	145.45
Laal Muhammad Stanakzai (Asker)	25	19	1	2	131.58

Best Performances — Bowling

Player	O	M	R	W	Eco
Bibin Thomas (GSCK)	2.0	0	18	3	9.00
Renju Kochumman Raju (GSCK)	3.0	0	13	2	4.33
Laal Muhammad Stanakzai (Asker)	3.0	0	15	2	5.00