PWRR start with a win in low-scoring match
The 2016 MoneyGram CCA T20 Cup got under way on 13 March with a low-scoring match at Dhekelia between PWRR and Moufflons, with the home team victorious by 28 runs.
Murtaza and Mahboob bowled great opening spells for Moufflons, taking 2 for 14 and 1 for 10 respectively from their 4 overs, so that PWRR were reduced to 23 for 4 in the 9th over. John Orr led a recovery with 25, and PWRR gave themselves a chance by reaching 107 for 9 from their 20 overs.
Back-up bowlers Imran, Ashraf and Emran (3 for 17) all did well, and were generally well supported in the field, where Muhammad took 4 catches, including one excellent running catch, Ahraf held an even better one running back from square leg, and Murtaza took a skier. At the innings break Moufflons seemed well placed to open the season with a win, despite having only 9 players.
However, their batsmen never got going. Shabbir topscored with 19 and Ashraf showed promise with 16, but generally there was a lack of application and urgency, as the PWRR bowlers took control, with skipper Mike Rawlinson to the fore with 3 for 6.
Moufflons were all out for 79 in the 18th over, gaining only 6 points against PWRR’s 30.