Scorecard

Widmer End St Margarets v Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix on Sun 09 Aug 2026 at 2pm
Phoenix Cricket Club Won 4 wickets

Match report Game 17 : Widmer End St Margarets
Result: Won by 4 wickets

After three consecutive defeats, Phoenix returned to winning ways with a superb performance of character, discipline and composure under pressure.

It was a scorching hot day at Grange Road, with a fast outfield making the toss an important one. Mitul Bathia won the toss for Phoenix and, after listening to Sanjeev’s recommendation, elected to bowl first — despite his own gut instinct and the opinions of some of the team suggesting otherwise.

It turned out to be an inspired decision.

A Bowling Masterclass
Phoenix came out firing. Widmer End St Margarets found themselves in serious trouble almost immediately: 0–3 → 7–4 → 15–5 → 25–7 → 58–9

Wickets were shared around, with Mitul taking 3, while Ashik, Opi and Sanjeev claimed 2 wickets each.
And there was a hugely impressive debut from Pranay Shah, who bowled an outstanding spell of: 5–4–1–1
Four maidens on debut in the heat was remarkable.

The bowling was backed up by some excellent fielding. Chohan, Iliyan, Kully, Pranay and Rajkaran all took catches, with Pranay producing the pick of the bunch — a superb high, over-the-shoulder catch after covering significant ground.

However, with Widmer End St Margarets nine down for just 58, Phoenix allowed the final pair to add 47 runs for the tenth wicket, eventually being bowled out for 105.

It was an excellent bowling effort, but the late partnership left a slight sense of frustration — and perhaps more importantly, gave Phoenix something to think about as they headed into the chase.

Nerves Return
The target was only 106. But after three defeats on the bounce, confidence doesn’t always follow the mathematics.

Phoenix’s chase began nervously. 21–3 then 61–6. Suddenly, a straightforward run chase had become a pressure situation. There were plenty of overs remaining, but the challenge was to stay calm, keep the scoreboard moving and avoid allowing the pressure to dictate the outcome.

That is exactly when Ashik Khokhar and Opi Singh stepped up.

Opi Turns the Game
With Phoenix needing composure, Opi provided something else entirely. Explosion.

He stood firm when the pressure was highest, smashing his way to an outstanding: 31 off 13 balls (6 fours and a six). Boundaries came quickly and the momentum shifted decisively back towards Phoenix.

Ashik provided the perfect support, and the pair put together a crucial 45-run partnership to take Phoenix across the finishing line. And just to make sure there was no doubt about the outcome, Ashik launched a huge six over long-on and into the tennis courts.

Cue the celebrations. From thinking the game could slip away to securing a four-wicket victory, the relief and joy were obvious. Smiles. Hugs. Rejoicing. Phoenix had finally found their way back.

Player of the Match: Opi Singh
Pressure? Nerves? Handled with consummate ease. Opi’s explosive 31 off 13 balls changed the momentum of the chase when Phoenix needed it most. A match-winning contribution when the team needed someone to step forward.

Final Thoughts
Back to winning ways. After three defeats in a row, Phoenix needed a response — and they delivered. The difference between this victory and the three previous defeats was the contribution of the fifth bowler, which made a significant difference to the balance of the team.

More importantly, when the pressure arrived, Phoenix didn’t fold. We held our nerve. We stayed together. We found a way. And that’s what winning teams do.

A special mention also goes to Pranay Shah, whose debut was hugely impressive. Four maidens in five overs and a wicket — an excellent introduction to Phoenix cricket.

RISE • BELIEVE • ACHIEVE
One team. One club. One Phoenix.

Season record so far
9 Wins | 7 Losses | 1 Draw

The team:
1. Rajkaran Aulakh
2. Muhammad Chohan (c) (wk)
3. Kully Banwait
4. Khizar Hayat
5. Iliyan Panjwani
6. Sheraz Ahmad
7. Pranay Shah
8. Ashik Khokhar
9. Opi Singh
10. Mitul Bathia
11. Sanjeev Kumar

*** Statistically the leading players are as follow ***

* Runs *
543 – Chohan
450 - Khizar
296 - Salman

* Wickets *
25 – Sanjeev
18 - Salman
15 - Ashik

* Fielding Dismissals *
11 - Chohan (9 catches, 2 stumping)
7 - Chandi (6 catches, 1 stumping)
6 - Khizar (6 catches)

Widmer End St Margarets Batting
Player name RunsMB4s6sSR
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 10 wickets
0
105 (32.0 overs)		     
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix Bowling

Player NameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
Mitulkumar Bathia8.031635.332.00
Ashik Khokhar5.03924.501.80
Opjinder 'Opi' Singh6.0039219.506.50
Sanjeev Kumar8.0126213.003.25
Pranay Shah5.04111.000.20

Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix Batting
Player Name RMB4s6sSRCatchesStumpingsRun outs
extras
TOTAL :
 
for 6 wickets
0
106		        
Rajkaran Aulakh Bowled  20 10 5 200 1
Khizar Hayat ct  Backward Point 1 2 50.0
Muhammad Chohan ct  Long On 5 13 1 38.46 1 1
Kulvinder 'Kully' Banwait ct  Backward Point 0 2 0 1
Iliyan Panjwani Bowled  21 46 4 45.65 1
Sheraz Ahmad Bowled  1 26 3.85
Ashik Khokhar Bowled  11 14 1 78.57
Opjinder 'Opi' Singh Not Out  31 13 6 1 238.46
Pranay Shah   1
Mitulkumar Bathia  
Sanjeev Kumar  

Widmer End St Margarets Bowling

Player nameOversMaidensRunsWicketsAverageEconomy
No records to display.
 
Photos and video of Widmer End St Margarets v Phoenix Cricket Club Phoenix on Sun 09 Aug 2026 at 2pm

Team v WESM (1)

Team v WESM (1) -

Team v WESM (2)

Team v WESM (2) -

Team v WESM (4)

Team v WESM (4) -

Team v WESM (3)

Team v WESM (3) -

Team v WESM (2)

Team v WESM (2) -

Team v WESM (1)

Team v WESM (1) -

Team v WESM (1)

Team v WESM (9)

Team v WESM (2)

Team v WESM (8)

Team v WESM (4)

Team v WESM (7)

Team v WESM (3)

Team v WESM (5)

Team v WESM (6)

Team v WESM (1)