OVERSEAS star Imran Malik was a star of a brilliant run chase by Linthwaite in the Oddfellows Cup.
Playing Cedar Court Conference leaders Paddock in the second round, bottom club Linthwaite must that thought they were up against it when the visitors posted a mammoth 333-9 on the back of solid efforts from Zahid Ahmed (64), Steve Abbott (74) and Waqas Rafiq (73).
Linthwaite’s reply was solid all the way, however, with opener Saifur Rehman hitting 89 and then Malik guiding the side home with an undefeated 124 in a top partnership with Muhammed Azam (46 not out).
Kexborough moved into the semi-finals with an 88-run win over Rastrick, who fell for 200 chasing 288-5. Michael Jepps was the chief destroyer for Kexborough, hitting 98 not out alongside Scott Shillito’s unbeaten 92 and then taking four for 38. Tom Owen was the best of the Rastrick batsmen with 61 not out.
Meltham moved on thanks to a Nadeem Ashraf century against Lascelles Hall.
Ashraf’s 109 combined with 60 from Mohammed Usman helped Meltham total 290-5. A fifth-wicket stand of 106 kept the Hall in the hunt, but once Richard Hall had gone for 75 they faltered.
The fourth tie of the round between Armitage Bridge and Emley takes place on July 18.
