It didn't matter. After first two overs going very economical, our bowler Ali struck. It was a difficult catch because it was taken running backwards (a la Kapil Dev). That the ground was uneven and damp made this catch even more difficult. If I were the fielder I'd have dropped it or not reached it. As it is I was always a close in fielder, who'd do extremely well in ground fielding and inner circle catching. Never was an outfielder.
Soon it was 3 and then 5 wickets down. The batting team didn't seem to be getting anywhere. I was wondering if it indeed was possible to get a team out within 100 runs in a 40-over game. As it happened, we bowled a tight line and held our catches. Most of them were at 1st slip. 2 of them were by Moatsim Bajwa (Moshi bhai). He held one by his right hand - a quick reflex catch and the other was held low, just above the ground. He later completed a fine spell of bowling though he missed taking a hat-trick. Just for the hat-trick ball we all stood close by.
Moshi bhai looks like Waqar Younis. I said that to him. "Did anyone tell you look like Waqar?"
"Yeah some have..."
"Why don't you bowl like him too? (I was hinting at speed because he is a super bowler. Difficult to get away and has slow in-swing.)
He is a chirpy and a fun man. Just being around him gives an extremely comforting feeling.
So we got the team all down for 54 runs, the last wicket having fallen when they were attempting a second run of a brilliant fielder! (me) ;) I am really struggling with my right shoulder and I promised to take a doctor's appointment. My throws are just not as sharp and well-directed.
The batting order was decided. The openers were to play and complete the game for us. I was to go 5 down. As the batsmen were playing, I got restless. I needed to bat. I asked Moshi bhai if it would be doing too much to tolerate if I wanted to play in the nets for a bit. He said, "Suuuuuurre!" I am yet to see him discourage me for anything like this.
Kamran bowled gentle offspinners. I was lost for the 1st 4 balls. I started picking up. Ali, who looked sceptical of the idea of my going to bat in the nets, showed up and bowled a few at me. He gave me tips when I edged a few. It was nice. I was feeling very confident. Ali sledged me whenever I hit a confident stroke off him. It was fun, though he wasn't easy to handle in the nets too.
My confidence was a positive wave. I was being observed. I went back to join my team and asked Moshi bhai for feedback on my batting. "My feedback is that your batting in the nets made Amer decide that you'll go 1 wicket down if at all..."
"Thanks but I was seriously asking your feedback."
"Serious bhai! We were discussing when you were confidently playing your strokes. Launda confident lag raha hain. Isko bhejte hain!" (Guy is confident. Let's send him next.)
And so when the 1st wicket fell at 52, I had to be there to finish the game. I joined our wicket-keeper and opener, Vajid. Amer bhai asked me to be wary of the owler. He was supposed to be really deceptively good.
So I take guard, minus chest guard and thigh guard. That was supposed to worry me. I recently had injuries because of lack of protective gear. But the confidence I was in, I was looking to finish in the next few minutes.
1st ball!!! Here it was. Went forward to a left arm over, medium bowler. I got a genuine edge which was missed by the slip. I went through for the 1st run in my rekindled career. Vajid finished off the match with 2 singles (1 of the last ball and off the 1st ball of the next over). He felt bad for denying me the chance to hit the winning run. All is well. He more than made up by gifting me his chest guard.
An early finish saw us back home by 6pm. Looking forward to my next game on saturday (June 20th) at Washington Park, Chicago.
