Midway through the first week and four more matches that created plenty of entertainment for the viewers watching around the world. The first match of the day was Minhaj v Falco. Minhaj took to the field and restricted Falco to 112 for 6 from their ten over allocation. Adeel Sarwar hit 31 from 19 balls for the Tarragona based outfit, whilst Zaka Ullah contributed with the ball for Minhaj, taking two wickets for just 22 runs. In reply, Minhaj took control of the run chase thanks to a superb 53 off just 20 balls by Jafar Iqbal. The supporting cast of Mohammad Riaz (23) and Safraz Ahmed (26 not out) also did their job to see their team home with seven wickets and seven balls to spare.
Match two of the day was contested between Badalona Shaheen and Bangladesh Kings. Shaheen batted first but were skittled out for just 94 by the Kings bowling attack. Sofiqul Islam with four wickets for 18 and Hussain Aminal with three for 12 did the majority of the damage for their team. Kings paced the run chase to perfection and eased to victory with eight balls and seven wickets to spare.
The penultimate match created history as it was the first time Cataluyna CC had lost a ECS game. Pakicare, a strong contender in this tournament were the team to accomplish that feat. Cataluyna posted a decent score of 123 for 7, and Naveed Aslam clubbed 61 of those runs off just 24 balls. His magnificent innings included three fours and eight sixes. The Pakicare response was just as explosive with the bat and they surpassed the Cataluyna total with three balls to go. Mohammad Ihsan’s 41 off 16 balls and Mohammad Barbar’s 42 off 18 balls set them on the way, but it was the crucial innings of Syed Shafaat Ali (28 off 13) at the business end of the Pakicare innings that proved to be the difference. Pakicare ended on 126 for 4 to record a crucial six wicket victory.
Kings and Minhaj returned to action for the final game of Match Day three. Batting first the Kings posted the formidable total of 158 for 2. Partnerships of 80 between Asjad Butt and Mohammad Shemu and 57 between Butt and MD Shafiullah were the cornerstone of the Kings effort. In reply, Minhaj fought gamely but fell 42 runs light. Muhammad Riaz did manage to craft a half century for his side, but it was all in vain, as Minhaj suffered yet another ECS defeat.
