Cyprus welcomed Nationwide House CC, who play in the Wiltshire League in England, for a short tour of two matches on 23 and 25 September. The tourists enjoyed their stay in Cyprus, but did not manage to win either of their games.

In the first match at Happy Valley they batted well enough to score 186 for 9 in 35 overs against an Army XI, for whom Azan Baig, Elahudin and Rohan Thomas each took two wickets.

This score seemed likely to be enough to lead to a close game, and that feeling was reinforced when the Army lost two early wickets. However, the home team then produced their trump card in the form of two new batsmen, Thomas and Aaron, who completely dominated the rest of the game.

Both left-handed, and batting with style and authority, the pair rattled off the runs in a largely untroubled partnership, winning the match by 8 wickets. Thomas finished with 70 not out with Aaron undefeated on 80.

Two days later the CCA Chairman’s XI batted first in a 30-overs per side match. Waqar (26), Murtaza (21) and Usman (14) all made useful contributions, but the backbone of the innings was provided in a partnership of contrasting styles between the stylish Shahzeb (58) and the more muscular approach of captain Muhammad (56). Despite Shahid’s comedy offering at the end of the overs, the total of 211 for 7 looked like being enough for a victory.

So it proved, as the weary tourists tried in vain to counter the Chairman’s XI bowling attack. Six of the 8 bowlers used took wickets. Baig and Yamin bowled with pace for two wickets each, Babar, Billa and Murtaza had one each, but the best figures belonged to Shahid who wrapped the game up with 3 wickets for 7 runs.

The tourists were all out for 126 and both teams enjoyed a refreshing drink by the sea to round off an enjoyable weekend.