27.05.22: Match 1 v Fuvahmulah Senior Men’s XI
After a Covid19 delay of over 2 years, the latest tour of Fuvahmulah by the Senior Cricketers Club got underway today with a match against a Fuvahmulah Men’s XI at Fuvahmulah Cricket Ground.
Batting first, the veterans reached 144 total for the loss of 5 wickets. Both openers Ali Azim and Ali Ibrahim fell for single figures with a LBW and catch respectively for local boys Shauf and Haikal.
Former Maldives national player and 3 time International Champion team captain, Moosa Kaleem came into the fray alongside Ibrahim Hussain (Dhiona) and gave a batting masterclass to everyone present. Moosa scored 67 from 45 balls and Dhona 35 from 31 balls by playing the good balls with respect and punishing the loose balls.
Fuvahmulah player Al Amin took a flurry of 3 wickets in the 19th over, but by then the Seniors had already inflicted enough damage to be able to defend their total with relative ease.
In reply, the Fuvahmulah XI opening partners made a slow start scoring 32 before they were both out to the canny bowling of Ahmed Neesham in the 7th Over.
Shauf Hassan 32 and Ali Yaneeu 7 dug deep to bring the team needing 100 from the last 10 Overs before Moosa Kaleem decided to star with the ball as well as with the bat by snuffing out any chance of a win for the local team by grabbing both key wickets.
In the closing overs, Hassan Waheed and Shahid Mohamed bagged a wicket each as the local team finished on 110 for 8 wickets.
Senior Cricketers Maldives won by 35 runs.
At the end of the match Fuvahmulah City Mayor Ismail Rafeeq presented a token of friendship from the people of Fuvahmulah to the touring party.
The Cricket Board of Maldives wishes to thank Fuvahmulah City Council for their hospitality extended to the squad of visitors and the support given to cricket in Fuvahmulah City.
Visits from cricket teams such as this are an important part of cricket development in Fuvahmulah. The local batch of juniors and seniors can learn much from the years of match play experience that the Senior Cricketers Club have.
In addition, having the chance to play against different teams and players with high level skill sets can only be a catalyst for improvement.
In the past, the SCC members have invested in the construction of the scoreboard and cricket ground warehouse, donated kit and equipment, and importantly have been valuable ears for advice and ideas with regards to all-round cricket development.
The Tour continues with a friendly T20 match on Saturday morning and group discussions about development of cricket on a national level throughout the Maldives.
The Cricket Board of Maldives looks forward to their and others visits to Fuvahmulah City in the future.
