Madina Central fancied to beat Azhar College

by S. M. Jiffrey ABDEEN - Kandy Sports Corr.

Madina Central College.....Standing (from left) M. Insamam, M. Arshad, M. Nazlan, M. Riszy, M. Ahamed, M. Misran, F. Ahamed, M. Wazir, Y. Imran, M. Fazil, M. Zuhail, M. Ashraf, M. B. Fazmin, M. Zafari, M. Rashas, M. Fareed, M. Fazry and M. Rifaz. Seated: (from left): M. Ricas (coach), A Manzir (V. Capt), T. Raju (PTI), Ms. I. Hithaya (Principal), H. M. Zaeed, M. H. M. Hishan (capt), E. M. Najini (Asst. Coach) Picture by Upananda Jayasundera, Kandy Sports Special Corr.)

Ashar Central College: Left to right (seated): M/s A. A.A. Muyeeni (coach), M. Z. Anas Mohamed (captain), A. R. M. Uwais (principal), M. H. M. Munas (MIC), P. Ganesh Kumar (POG), S. M. M. Rilwan (Junior MIC). First row: Left to right: M/s T. Ali Ahmed, M. S. M. Riyal, M. S. M. Shihan, F. M. Zakir Hussain, M. R. M. Fthikhan, M. N. M. Manazir, M. B. Hafees, M. N. M. Nuzlan, M. S. M. Roshan.Second Left to right: M/s. M. S. M. Muzakir, M. Z. M. Wazeem, M. S. M. Askil, M. A. M. Mujahidh, M. N. M. Dilshad, M. I. M. Azahir (vice captain), M. R. M. Zaid, H. M. Shamraz, M. U. Umair Khan. Picture by Upananda Jayasundera, Kandy Sports Special Corr.

CRICKET: Madina Central College, Madawala will go out favourites when they take on Azhar Central College, Akurana in their 3rd "Battle of the Maroons" limited-over big match to be played at the Asgiriya Stadium, Kandy, on Tuesday April 20th with play commencing at 9.30 a.m.

Manager Coaching of Sri Lanka Cricket Malcolm Perera will be the Chief Guest.

This is the only big match between two Muslim schools in the island which began two years ago. The two schools are divided apart with a distance of over ten kilometres separating them and are located in two separate electorates. Of the two battles which had be been keenly fought out, Madina Central College by virtue of their win last year lead the series while the Maiden encounter ended in a draw due to rain.

This is one big match which draws a very big crowd and a healthy rivalry is witnessed.

Bus loads of members of the public from the townships of Akurana and Madawala come to witness this big match and tickets are sold in advance. Thus a friendly and a keen atmosphere prevails.

Madina Central College will be led by third year player Mohamed Hishan - a good left-hand batsman and a right arm medium pacer. He has been among the runs with a top score of 127 A. S. M. Shafri is the deputy skipper of the side. He is another good bat and an effective medium pacer and he will open the attack with the skipper. His top score this season has been 140. Besides there are two other centurians in the side in last year's skipper M. S. M. Sohail 105 not out and M. M. Mifras 135.

The other capable batsman in the side are M. T. M. Rashid, M. S. M. Fasmin, A. M. Manazir Ahshan N. L. Wazeehul Ahmed and A.L.M. Arshard which makes their batting a very formidable one.

Many pacemen

There is a glut of pacies in the side with the attack being spearheaded by the skipper and his deputy. For extra pace there is Fazmy Ahamed, M.S.M. Fahir, and A.M. Manazir Ahahan. But they will depend largely on the off spin of M.S.M. Sohail to deliver the goods. The other spinners in the side are M.T.M. Rashid, and M.T.M. Fazry.

Madina Central College have played 7 matches, won 5 and drawn the rest. The team is coached by former Antonian cricketer Mohamed Rikaz with Mohamed Nazmi as his Assistant. M. Zaheed is the Master in charge.

Azhar Central College will be led by allrounder M.I. Amas Mohamed.

A third year player and one of the surviving members from the first encounter, A good allrounder with a number of good scores which included four half centuries. Allrounder M.I.M. Azahir is the vice captain of the side.

The individual bowling and batting performances of Azhar Central College is not available.

Their batting will revolve M.I.M. Azahir, M.N.M. Manazir, Amas Mohamed, Mohamed Dilshad, M.Z.M. Waseem.

They will depend largely on their pacies like M. Wazeen, and M. Azahir and spinners M. Manazir, and A.S.M. Akhil to curtail their opponents.

Azhar Central College have played 6 matches, winning two and drawn the rest. They are being coached by A.A.M. Muyeemi with M.H.M. Munas as the Master in charge.

Teams

Madina Central College (from) M.H.M. Hisham (captain), A.R.N. Shafni (Vice captain), M.S.M. Schail, M.S.M. Pathir, A.M. Manazir Ahshan, M.Z.M. Shiham, A.L.M. Arshard, M.T.M. Fazry, M.F. Fazny Ahamed, M.F.M. Fazil, M.S.M. Fazmia, N.M. Rifky, Y. Imran, M.Z.M. Afraz, M.S.M. Wsaseem, and M.M.M. Rifas.

Azhar Central College (from) M.T. Amas Mohamed (captain), M.I.M. Azahir (vice captain), M.N.M. Dilshad, M.S.M. Muzakir, M.Z.M. Wazeem, M.S.M. Akhil, M.A.M. Mujahidh, M.R.M. Zaid, H.M. Shamraz, M.U. Umair Khan, T. Ali Ahamed, M.S.M. Riyah, M.S.M. Shihan, F.M. Zahir Hussain, M.R.M. Fithkhan, M.N.M. Manazir, M.B. Hafees, M.N.M. Nuzlan, M.S.M. Roshan.

There will be a ball by ball cricket commentary on the Kandurata Sevaya of SLBC