Longford have won the 2018 Middle Cup with a big win over YMCA 3s at Ringcommons on Sunday.
An all-round Player of the Match performance of 29 and 1-15 from Umar Sarfraz delivered a 126-run victory for the Midlanders.
YM had made early inroads into the Longford line-up with Michael O’Reilly (2-41) bowling really well and also running Humayou out for just 2. When Sidiqi excellently ran out A Javed having moved around from his fielding position at slip, Longford were 64/5 and under the pump.
Longford captain Shamiz Sarfraz (32) and the third Sarfraz brother proceeded to put on 46 for the 6th wicket including a massive 6 each before they both fell in the space of three deliveries.
Umar Sarfraz and Raza took Longford to 140/8 but the 56-run partnership between Umar (29) and Imran (29) made all the difference for Longford.
The late impetus provided by Umar, Imran and 16 not out from Khan took Longford to an imposing 216.
Unfortunately for the young YMCA side their chase never got up and running.
Longford opening bowlers Khan (2-14; 5 overs) and D Javed (2-13; 6 overs) reduced YM to 24/4 before Imran induced an aerial drive to cover to leave the chase 29/5.
O’Reilly played three beautiful boundaries through the covers as he top-scored with 24 for YM as they refused to buckle.
Raza (19) smashed the only 6 of the innings over wide long-on and a couple of classy boundaries.
Longford though, continued to take wickets at regular intervals, Tariq who bowled O’Reilly ended with 3-39 leaving YM 90/9 off 27 overs.
Just two balls later Longford took the final wicket and sealed victory when their own Raza ran out YM’s Raza to send the 2018 Middle Cup trophy to Longford.
2018 Middle Cup Final Longford CC v YMCA CC 3s
At Ringcommons CC
Longford CC 216 a/o 39.5 overs (S Sarfraz 32, U Sarfraz 29, M Imran 29; D Singh3-29, M O’Reilly 2-41)
YMCA CC 3s 90 a/o 27.2 overs (M O’Reilly 24, S Raza 19; S Tariq 3-39, D Javed 2-13, F Khan 2-14)
Longford CC win by 126 runs