The Colts turned heads with their impressive display in the Southern California Cricket Association 2025 T20 Division 2 Tournament, triumphing over Friends by seven wickets on August 10 at the Southern California grounds. Winning the toss and opting to bat first, Friends entered the field hoping to set a solid foundation. However, they quickly found themselves tangled in a web of brilliance laid down by the Colts, managing to score a mere 95 runs in just 16.4 overs. The standout performer, Narendra Tummala, was nothing short of extraordinary, picking up four wickets, including a stunning hat-trick, which earned him the Player of the Match accolade.
Friends’ innings began on shaky ground when Mohammad Ahad fell victim to Vishwaksena Reddy after scoring just two runs. The team briefly rallied, with Shaikh Razi demonstrating some aggression and hitting two fours and a six during his quick 17 off 11 balls. However, when Razi was dismissed at 26 for 2, the team spiraled into a serious collapse. The middle order faced relentless pressure from the Colts’ disciplined bowling attack. Muhammad Faizan managed just 6 runs, while Uzair Khan added a mere 2. The worrisome moment came when Bilal Khan, often considered a threat, was dismissed for a duck after facing just two deliveries.
While wickets continued to tumble, Mohammad Ariz stood out, anchoring the innings with a resilient 37 runs from 35 balls, which included two boundaries and a six. Despite Ariz’s efforts, the disciplined bowling from Reddy, who finished with impressive figures of 4 for 18 in three overs, and Tummala’s near-miraculous late spell of 4 for 4 in just 1.4 overs made it increasingly clear that Friends were fighting an uphill battle. In the end, Friends’ innings concluded at 95 runs, relying solely on 15 extras for any semblance of a boost.
As the Colts pursued a modest target of 96 runs, they faced a brief hiccup when Sujit Dhareshwar was caught and bowled by Ahmed Razi for just four runs. Shortly thereafter, Mohammad Ahad struck again, deceiving opener Sathya Sampathkumar and trapping him lbw for eight runs. At 22 for 2, Friends began to feel a flicker of hope, sensing that victory might still be within reach. However, Om Medandrao and Salim Masumdar quickly put a stop to this revival.
Medandrao showcased his calm demeanor at the crease, scoring a measured 37 runs off 39 balls, which included four well-placed boundaries. Salim lent crucial support, remaining unbeaten with 26 runs from 32 deliveries, smartly navigating singles and twos to keep the chase alive. Once Medandrao was bowled by Ahad at 70 for 3, the match seemed all but decided. Santosh Pochinapeddhi added one more nail in the coffin with his composed 16 not out off 17 balls, guiding the Colts home by reaching the target in just 17.5 overs.
Despite putting in solid efforts, Friends’ bowlers, particularly Mohammad Ahad (2 for 15) and Ahmed Razi (1 for 22), couldn’t pull off the miracle they needed. The uphill task of defending a low total proved too steep, underscoring the importance of runs in a game where every run counts.
This victory served as a testament not just to the Colts’ aggressive bowling—highlighted by Tummala’s match-winning performance and Reddy’s fierce opening burst—but also to their remarkable poise during the chase. As the Colts continue building momentum in the tournament, Friends will need to rally quickly to find their footing once more. They will need resilience and determination if they hope to turn their campaign around.
Image Source: Kazim Jafri
