Summary:
– Houston Bengal Team – 229/7 (25 overs)
– ABTSC – 200/7 (25 overs)
– ABTSC lost by 29 runs
In a gorgeous early morning, 11 Austin Tigers left the town in 5 different 
s for Prairie View, TX (~2.5 hrs). Reached the beautiful grounds by 10am, and the host was nowhere to be found. Eventually, they all came by 11 (Bangalee time) and the game started 11:15am.
The turf pitch looked damped due to gloomy conditions with a sprinkle of rain. Houston Team, led by Mehrab, won the toss and decided to bat. ABTSC captain (M K) wanted to bowl first anyway. But in hindsight, batting first is the way to go here at this ground, as the pitch gets slow and low in the 2nd innings.
Mehrab and Ahsan came to open the innings and Fasbir and Faiyez were ABTSC’s opening bowlers. In the very first ball, Fasbir took Mehrab’s wicket – caught behind – A “Raaj-Hash” size golden duck. But Ahsan was playing his natural aggressive game and kept hitting boundaries on the leg side. Vishal came in 6th over and got two wickets (including Ahsan). That was an excellent over for ABTSC. Houston batsmen were not deterred by this and kept hitting boundaries. The ground is fast and nothing like the grounds ABTSC used to play. After power-play (7 overs), the Houston team was 54/3.
Then came the great partnership (123 runs) that carried the Houston team score to over 200 runs. Both Salman and Shams played excellently and didn’t give any chances, except one time. ABTSC gave a life to Shams when he was in his 30s. Unfortunately, the best fielder on the team dropped a relatively easy catch. Eventually Shams top scored 77 runs (4s – 8, 6s – 2). Salman scored 63 (4s – 5, 6s – 2). Masud broke the significant partnership. After that ATBSC bowlers kept taking wickets but also leaking runs. Eventually, the Houston team scored 229 runs in 25 overs. Vishal and M K took 2 wickets each and were among the best bowlers from ATBSC.
ABTSC had a monumental target. Oli and Sid went to open, started well, and had a 50-run partnership in the first 7 overs. But after that, 2 quick wickets – Sid and Musud – dented the chase. Sami and Oli had a good partnership (59 runs) but 3 wickets – Sami, Sayed, and Rafid fell in quick succession. By this time, the required run rate (RRR) had increased to 12 per over. Vishal came in and stopped the rut. Oli took the team on his back and hit the ball at his will. Unfortunately, he fell on the 22nd over on the boundary, but by that time he scored 89 runs in 58 balls only. He hit 11x4s and 3 huge 6s. Any hope that ABTSC had, was gone with his dismissal. Vishal (27 runs in 13 balls) hit a few blows at the end, but it was not enough. ABTSC scored 200/7 in the allotted 25 overs, losing the game by 29 runs.
A Captain’s Tale….
It was a beautiful game on a beautiful ground. For the first time, ABTSC players had the experience of playing on a turf pitch. We learned a lot – how to bat, ball, and field. A simple push from a batman, the ball was getting to the boundary which never happens in any Austin ground. We learned how batting first is a better choice since the bounce was getting lower and slower in the 2nd innings.
I captained the team after a LONG time, and I was a bit rusty, I made a few mistakes in decision making but it was a great experience. I loved the way the team fought. We gained a lot of experience and will do better next time In sha Allah.
Lastly, I would like to thank the Houston Bengal team, especially Mehrab. They were a very gracious host, fed us “chicken biriyani” during lunch, and were very friendly during the whole game. In the end, we made friends with other Bangladeshi players from another town, and now they have become friendly foes. We will return the favor and invite them here in Austin when time permits.
For now, Adios!!!
