CCI FIGHTS BUT LOSES TO CU

CCI FIGHTS BUT LOSES TO CU
By Kashan Khan

Regardless of the heavy rain situation, CUians drove from Chicago to Lohman Park, Urbana – IL to play against CCI for another Midwest 40/40 competition Heavy rains delayed the match start. CCI squad did a commendable job to prepare the wicket to play the match. This match was played on the hallowed and blissful jute mat on mud with 5 reduced overs to 35 .
Chicago United (CU) Skipper Sami elected to bat first. Despite of the early loss of men-in-form Yaseen and Donike, newly wedded Hassan continued with his amazing form. He not only stabilized the CU innings with Hardik Patel batted very sensibly), but also hit 5 huge sixes including 3 in an over! He also completed his half century before getting himself run out. CU skipper Sami, is the name you can always count on. As usual Sami played beautifully and hit 3 fine sixes and score 48. Andre the Magician with the ball showed some magic with the bat in the final stages of the innings and scored 42 not out . CU managed to post 220 in their 35 overs.
Kashan and Sami started the bowling for CU and did amazing job by controlling the run flow in power play, conditions were getting tougher as the temperature crossed 95F and Humidity level were very high. At one stage it looked like that CCI Batsmen , Jabreel and Nauman will take the game away with their partnership. Soon after the water break Sami brought Kashan back who bowled a magical revers inswing to get rid of the Shiv Reddy. Over all it was testing conditions for CU in a comparatively small ground. Following the fitness philosophy of CU President Nadeem Zain, CU showed some great fitness level both mentally and physically to survive in the humid conditions. The bowlers bowled extremely well against a unknown wicket. Although CCI batted all their 35 over, they lost by 13 runs.
Man of the match was awarded to Andre Dwyer for his all-rounder performance with the bat and ball.