Educated batting from City sees them leap frog Open University

Milton Keynes City took the advantage in the battle for promotion to Four Counties Division 1 on Saturday as they beat rivals Open University by 43 runs.
MK City's number 11 Tuhfatullah Khan added a vital 21 against Open University. Pic: Jane RussellMK City's number 11 Tuhfatullah Khan added a vital 21 against Open University. Pic: Jane Russell
MK City's number 11 Tuhfatullah Khan added a vital 21 against Open University. Pic: Jane Russell

The pair started the day level on points in the battle for second, though it was City who made the best of the conditions, batting first and racing away to 171 at the OU Pavilion.

Opener Muhammed Mahboob top scorer for the visitors with 58, but he was short of batting partners. In fact, half the City order failed to reach double figures, but 29 from number 10 Shayan Naseem and another 21 from number 11 Tuhfatullah Khan saw them through.

For OU, Imran Imdad took 3-13, while Asif Mujawar also took 3-36.

OU’s response started badly though, as three wickets tumbled in quick succession.

Sardar Ahmad did his level best to restore some pride for the home side with a knock of 60, but he was only of only three batsmen to reach double figure scores as OU were knocked over for just 128.

The result puts City now clear in second place, now 273 points clear of OU, but still trailing leaders Printers.

The gap was reduced though, as Printers (212) lost to Buckland & Aston Clinton (213-9).

Elsewhere in the division, Newport Pagnell (130-6) slipped up as they lost to bottom club Cranfield University (129) and Old Bradwell lost to North Crawley 2nds.

Related topics: