County Kerry beat Cork Harlequins in thrilling opener to cricket season

The Kerry openers Imran khan Pathan and Usman Butt wasted no time as they quickly put on a fifty partnership. With the foundation set and Kerry taking control of the innings Usman Butt managed to pick out a fielder and was dismissed after an expansive shot. Adil Rahil stepped in at number 3 and carried on attacking hitting some glorious strokes before being caught and bowled for 24 runs by Harlequins seamer Kieran O’Reilly.

Imran Khan Pathan was next to depart clipping one behind into the keepers gloves off the fast bowling of Umair Hassan with his run tally at 33. Down the order Farrukh Hussain chipped in with 20 runs as the Kerry men reached an impressive total of 173 from the allocated 45 Overs.

In reply, Cork Harlequin’s veteran and ex Ireland international Ted Williamson hit a couple of cracking shots to the fence but paid the price when a risky stroke went through the gate to be clean bowled by Kerry bowler Usman Sheraz.

Wickets fell at regular intervals and Kerry had the hosts backed into a corner at eight wickets down when Mustak Mardan came to the crease and started swinging the bat quickly reaching 20 runs before being bowled by Taimour Ahmad Chaudhary. With the last pair in the middle, defeat appeared imminent for Harlequins but Vikranth Masina and Nazmul Hasan Sajib had other ideas as they kept the scorers busy nudging and nurdling singles around to give the hosts an outside chance of victory with one over to play.

With the hosts requiring 20 runs off the last over, Kerry captain Majid Yousaf brought himself on to bowl in very tense conditions and after conceding a boundary and a couple of singles Majid held his nerve and delivered the final blow dismissing Vikranth Masina for 16 to spark jubilant celebrations among the visitors dressing room and travelling support.

County Kerry CC 2nd XI 173/9 beat Cork Harlequins CC 2nd XI 159/10 by 14 runs