UNION CLINCH SUPREME COUNCIL TOURNAMENT- 1987-Sunday News

In the wake of the recently concluded World Cup series that had resulted in great disappointment for local fans whose favourite teams faded away into oblivion, the fourth KSI supreme Council Tournament hosted by Union Sports Club in Daressalaam during the Christmas holidays revived interest in the game.

The teams from Nairobi, Mombasa, Arusha, Kinshasa and distant Karachi and Stanmore, London assembled at Daressalaam. It was cricket extravaganza for local fans. Amidst the Tejanis, Nathoos and Lakhas we had the Sibtains, Asifs and Sheriff brothers. It was a star studded affair.

Anyhow, the cynosure of the public eye was the great pair of brothers, FHR and Muslim, who made their presence felt by their participation for the Kinshasa team. The oldies lingered recounting the good old days when the brothers dominated the local scene.

Known to one and all by his initials FHR, Fida Habib Rhemtulla was one of Tanganyika’s finest all rounders. Taking advantage of his six feet height and well built body FHR used to open the bowling with his right arm medium paced outswingers and later resorted to spin. A middle order batsman he would thrash the ball to all parts of the ground. During his career in Daressalaam spanning from 1938 to 1953 he scored 8 centuries. He was also one of the finest captains ever to grace the Tanzanian cricket field.

 

                                                                                        

FHR	Muslim Kara

FHR formed an integral part of the Tanganyika side that competed in the East African tournaments. Interestingly when he left for Congo in 1953 he was invited to join the Tanganyika team to play Uganda with airfare paid. Though Tanganyika lost FHR was ‘Man of the Match’.

During the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of HH The Agakhan heplayed for Daressalaam Combine against East African Ismailis for the ‘Diamond Jubilee Cup’ and led his side to victory with an unbeaten innings of 109 and then proceeding to claim 9 wickets for just 20 runs. His Highness Aga Khan was the first to congratulate him.

Even today at the age of 66 he is still actively playing cricket for Poole Cricket Club in England. Though no more keen on batting due to poor eyesight his bowling is still effective. As a matter of fact 1988 is his golden jubilee in cricket having played continuous cricket for 50 years.

The younger brother, Muslim, undoubtedly remains the finest wicketkeeper ever produced by Tanzania. He was so graceful behind the wickets that even today comparisons are invariably made of those who followed him in the art of wicket keeping.

It was also sheer joy to watch Muslim bat and once settled in he would take any bowling apart. Once playing for Tanganyika Railways in an afternoon game he scored a century in mere 55 minutes hitting 8 sixes and ten fours.

Coming back to the Dar staged tournament, there were 9 teams competing on league cum knockout basis. Group ‘A’ was made up of Nairobi, Arusha, Karachi, Essex and Union ‘B’ while Group ‘B’ consisted of Union’A’, Mombasa, Stanmore and Kinshasa.

The preliminaries were 30 overs games with the first two teams qualifying for the 45 overs semifinals and the winners eventually meeting in the 50 over final.

The Group ‘A’ preliminary game between Karachi and Arusha had all the elements of high drama with the bewildering twists and turns over the last few overs which turned in a 5 run victory for Arusha who had set Karachi a target of 155 runs. The bunch from Karachi was a fun loving lot and livened up the atmosphere with chants, applauses and clapping.

The Arusha-Nairobi encounter in the preliminary was a big disappointment as Arusha succumbed meekly to Nairobi who had convincing victories over all other teams in their group.

Union’s preliminary game against Mombasa Jaffery who are the cricket champions of Mombasa was quite an interesting one. Mombasa registered 144 runs while Union in reply were 100 for 4 in the 24^th over at one stage and the run rate requirement risen to 7 an over. This was ultimately achieved through some hard hitting by Mohamed and Shakir.

Both Union and Mombasa overcame the remaining teams in their group and qualified for the semifinals along with Nairobi and Arusha from the other group.

The Nairobi-Mombasa semi final at Annadil Burhani lacked luster since the Mombasa boys batted badly against the Nairobi attack The game resulted in an easy eight wicket victory for Nairobi.

It was the other semi final at Daressalaam Gymkhana between Union and Arusha that was a real thriller, in fact the most exciting game of the tournament. Arusha found themselves in real trouble when they were struggling at 36 for 4 with their main batsman Gulamraza(Zimbo) out for naught off the second delivery he received from Kazim. A defiant knock of 55 by Mahmood Somji and some useful contribution by Jameel and Tahseel Sheriff enabled Arusha pile up 160 runs.

Union batted badly against the fiery attack of Tahseel and Munir. Mohammed despite nursing an injury rescued Union with 61 invaluable runs. Even then Union were not out of danger as their wickets kept tumbling. Union fans were restless and their hearts thumping when in walked the last batsman Amir Yusuf in his characteristic leisurely manner. Amir within no time notched up the remaining runs to the delight of the crowd who applauded him all the way to the pavilion.

Hundreds thronged the Annadil Burhani ground to witness the final between the local champions Union versus the Nairobi Jafferies consisting of four Kenya national players. Heavy downpour in the early hours of the morning had socked the wicket which played badly as Nairobi lost 4 quick wickets to Kazim. Worse followed when their star batsman Sibtain played a straight delivery from the star bowler Sajjad across his leg and was clean bowled. Nairobi could manage only 132 runs.

In reply Union made a flying start but then a splendid piece of bowling by Asif Karim reduced them from 60 for 1 to 76 for 5. He was well supported by the keeper, Muslim Kanji, who kept the wicket superbly and claimed two brilliant stumpings.

Union fans sat dejected as the trophy seemed to elude them but the incomparable Amir Yusuf held his stand firmly. He defied the Nairobi bowlers with his dour and courageous innings, his vigil at the wicket for more than an hour. It was a remarkable innings for its ‘never say die’ resilience that saw Union through to clinch the prestigious trophy. Shakir Sherali at the other end for once kept his head down and played a cautious and responsible knock.