On Wednesday evening at Wythenshawe CC, the Whalley Range CC U13 Lions won the toss and elected to bat first, looking to make a positive start and put the pressure on the hosts from the outset.
Openers Anas and Zeki did exactly that, laying the perfect platform with an excellent opening partnership. Zeki batted confidently, retiring on 31 from 29 balls, including four well-struck boundaries. Anas continued to keep the scoreboard moving with an aggressive innings, retiring unbeaten on 33 from just 27 deliveries, hitting five fours and a six.
Despite a brief wobble as wickets fell in the middle overs, with the Lions slipping from 75-2 to 104-5, the innings was rebuilt superbly by Ismaeel and Aidan. The pair rotated the strike brilliantly and punished the loose deliveries, adding valuable runs during an important partnership. Ismaeel produced an excellent innings, retiring on 31 from only 19 balls, while Aidan added a composed 18 from 14 deliveries. Useful contributions throughout the order helped the Lions post an impressive total of 165 from their 20 overs.
Knowing the job was only half done, the Lions carried their momentum into the field. Fred made an immediate breakthrough by taking a wicket in his opening over before Frankie struck in his second over to leave Wythenshawe under early pressure.
The introduction of spin tightened the screw even further. Evan claimed a wicket courtesy of a stunning one-handed slip catch by captain Zakki, reducing the hosts to 33-5. Although Wythenshawe threatened a fightback with a useful partnership, Fazal broke the stand with a great piece of wicketkeeping from Zeki, who completed a sharp stumping after Fazal tempted the batter out of his crease.
Every bowler played their part, with Tom also getting among the wickets during his over as the Lions continued to enjoy themselves in the field. Fittingly, Ismaeel completed an outstanding all-round performance by taking the final wicket to finish with impressive figures of 2-9, adding to his earlier retirement with the bat.
Wythenshawe were bowled out for 94 in the 18th over, sealing another convincing victory for the Lions.
The win extends Whalley Range’s unbeaten run from their league-winning campaign into the cup competition. With one group match remaining away at Stretford CC, the Lions will be hoping to maintain their momentum and secure their place at Finals Day.
