Martians v Sky (Cup 1st round)

Sky's Rizwan Siddiqui reports:

Martians, having won the toss, invited Sky to bat on a glorious summer's evening and the openers quickly set about the Martians' bowling with the half century partnership coming up within the first 5 overs.

However, a change of bowlers paid immediate dividend, the runs dried up (particularly as Aleem had to retire in the 6th over) and the middle order capitulated to some sustained accurate bowling.

The score in the 11th over had limped along to 89 for 6 and the defending Cup holders were looking down the abyss.

Aleem strode out to the middle and resumed his innings and was promptly dropped the second ball he faced at slip.

Now, although not quite in the same league as Warney's misdemeanour at the Oval in '05 or Gibbs's at World Cup '99 it did nevertheless prove crucial.

With his partner (Mudi) dutifully taking a single every time he took strike, Aleem marched onto a superb unbeaten century and ensured Sky posted what would turn out to be a match winning total.

Martians started well and once their No 3 entered the arena runs were coming at a good rate and by the 9th over the score was 82-1, game on.

As with the Sky innings, a change of bowling led to a collapse and with Ayaz picking up a couple of wickets and some good fielding (leading to 3 run outs), in particular a direct strike at the stumps from Hasan patrolling the midwicket boundary, the run rate gradually escalated and in the end Martians fell short of their target by 26 runs.