KAREEM LEADS CHICAGO REDS TO UCL FINALS!

Nail bitter! Last over finish! Momentum swings! And any other adjectives you can think of was applicable to the semi finals match of UCL (United Cricket League) between Chicago Reds (Powered by Chicago United) and Deccan Chargers. Winning the toss Reds quickly decided to bowl first. This decision was spot on with the way Reds bowlers responded. Ragu (4-22-2) and Kareem (4-23-0) started bowling in partnership keeping a tight line and length with amazing and controlled swing. No room for batsmen at all and DC were quickly curbed down to 11/2 in 3 overs. Things didn’t get easier for DC as the first change brought in ever great Akhil Pathan in to the attack. Akhil doing what he does best, attacking the stumps with his dangerous swing and occasionally using the bounce of the pitch to hit the deck hard and get that extra bounce. On the other end Neil was introduced as the other change. Akhil Khan Pathan and Neil Shah ensured that DC’s recovery was short lived as they were further brought down to 51/3. There after DC never recovered and frequent wickets kept falling and ended at 130 all out in their allotted 20 overs. Reds with the way they bowled had momentum on their side. Reds most run getter Anirudh Jonnavitula and ever consistent Venkatesh Naidu opened the innings for Reds. Unfortunately Venky was wrongfully given out caught behind and that was the early blow for Reds. Anirudh had a quick flurry of runs and brought Reds to 26/1 in 3 overs. Unfortunately to Anirudh’s flurry was short lived and brought Reds down to 33/2 after 4 overs. Adithya N Tirumale and Neil and had a small recovering partnership before Neil got out to a poor shot selection. This opened up the gates for Reds and were reduced to 59/5 in 9 overs. Then the remarkable partnerships between Sami Jr (Mohammed Samiuddin) with Kareem and Ragu (Ragunathan Saminathan) with Kareem stabilized Reds. Kareem (Kaxim Kareem) played a mature innings throughout the innings scoring sensible 40 with 2 fours and a six. Kareem remained not out and ensured his matured innings brought Reds to the finish line. Well composed innings by Kareem, and helpful cameos by Sami Jr., Ragu ensured Reds spot in the Final! Adil Azeem, President UCL League presented the ‘Man of the Match’ award to Kareem. #ChicagoUnited#ChicagoCricket#USAcricket