Nasser Ahmed tore through Hemel Hempstead’s batting line-up as Old Albanians defended a below-par total to secure an opening day win.
Having been put in to bat, OAs’ innings got off to a bad start as Alf Rehman (12), Joe Regan (7) and Sagir Ahmed (1) were dismissed with the score on 26.
The middle order, however, were more resistant and knocks by Jack Reynolds (25), Zahid Khan (29), Chris Dobson (26) and Zahid Karim (22*) saw OAs post a total of 145 from 50 overs.
Defending a score that was 20 runs short of expected, the bowling attack was insatiable.
Led by Ahmed (5-15), who bowled an immaculate 14-over spell, OAs had Hemel teetering on the brink at 29-7.
Mozammel Hayat (2-16) was the man to push them into the abyss, dismissing the last two batsmen to secure an 81-run win in the 33rd over.
Sagir Ahmed was the other wicket taking, picking up three scalps for 21 runs in 10 overs.
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