20/08/2026
Match Report – SESCL Premier Division
Bajjar Badshahs vs Reading Tigers
Sunday 16 August 2026
Bajjar Badshahs 1st XI were involved in a run-filled Premier Division encounter against Reading Tigers at Waltham St. Lawrence Cricket Club on Sunday 16 August 2026, with Reading Tigers eventually securing a four-wicket victory after successfully chasing 313.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bajjar Badshahs produced an excellent batting display, reaching an imposing 312/4 from their 40 overs.
Aatish Anthathi provided an aggressive start, striking 25 from just 14 balls, including four fours and a six. After his dismissal with the score on 46, Najeebullah Rahmanullah joined Chris Marrow and helped build a strong platform. Rahmanullah played positively for 47 from 36 balls, hitting nine boundaries, as the pair took the score to 150.
The standout performance of the innings came from Chris Marrow, who produced a superb century. Marrow compiled 111 from 106 balls, including 12 fours and a six, anchoring the innings while the batters around him maintained an excellent scoring rate.
Ryan Friend then added further momentum with an important 56 from 53 deliveries, including five fours and two sixes. After Friend fell with the score on 248, Raheem Sher continued the attack with an unbeaten 37 from only 23 balls, while Dhairya Patel provided a late flourish with 17 not out from eight deliveries. Their contributions helped Bajjar finish on an impressive 312/4, with 19 extras also contributing to the total.
Defending 313, Bajjar Badshahs made regular breakthroughs but Reading Tigers responded with an equally determined batting performance.
Shetty departed early for 12 and Rees followed for 17, both falling to Ryan Friend. Safi then made 42 from 40 balls, while Ganagabalan also scored 42, helping Reading recover and keep pace with the demanding required rate.
Najeebullah Rahmanullah was particularly effective with the ball and gave Bajjar hope by claiming three wickets. His spell of 8 overs, 3 wickets for 44 runs was the pick of the Bajjar bowling attack, while Ryan Friend finished with 2/66 and Farhan Latif claimed 1/66. Dhairya Patel also bowled an economical spell in the context of such a high-scoring match, conceding only 43 runs from his eight overs.
Reading were reduced to 138/5, leaving the contest finely balanced, but their middle and lower order responded superbly. The scorecard records Hamza Arif making 62 from 57 balls, before Hurraira Arif contributed an unbeaten 75 from 56 deliveries. Soraj Singh then produced a decisive late assault, smashing 45 not out from only 26 balls, including eight fours.
Reading reached 315/6 after 38.3 overs, completing the chase with nine balls remaining and sealing a four-wicket victory.
Despite the defeat, Bajjar Badshahs could take plenty of positives from an outstanding batting performance, particularly captain Chris Marrow’s magnificent century, as well as Najeebullah Rahmanullah’s all-round contribution of 47 with the bat and 3/44 with the ball. On another day, a total of 312 would have been enough, but Reading Tigers produced an exceptional chase to come away with the points from a memorable Premier Division run-fest.
Next up: Aylesbury Sultans ✈️