Ton-up Zafar is cup-tie star

ANXIOUS MOMENTS: Glodwick batsman Nigel Stock looks back as Friarmere wicketkeeper Andy Walker dives to gather a delivery from Mohammed Azam. Local sport: Saddleworth League cricket

ZAFAR IQBAL’S jumper may acquire a new hole with every year that passes but it is very difficult to pick any holes in the player’s game at present.

The Pakistani all-rounder scored a superb 106 and claimed three for 16 as Friarmere booked their place in the semi-finals of the Tanner Cup with a 56- run win over Glodwick at Warren Lane.

Iqbal, the club’s overseas amateur, may have turned 40 last March but he still commands respect wherever he plays his cricket.

Dropped on 44, the former Crompton professional punished Glodwick by spearheading a Friarmere onslaught which saw them amass 280 for seven.

Iqbal smashed 10 fours and six sixes in a 96-ball stay and added 169 for the third wicket with stand-in captain Andy Walker, who proved equally explosive.

The pair were eventually removed by Graeme Broadhead, but not before Walker had made 67 from 79 balls. The wicketkeeper, with eight, struck more sixes than Iqbal.

Although Glodwick, who sit fourth in the Armstrongs Office Furniture Saddleworth and District Cricket League, enjoyed further success — skipper Nigel Stock picked up four for 45 — the damage had been done.

Shahid Mahmood was even allowed to bowl an extra over.

Players are restricted to a maximum of nine overs each in the competition, but Mahmood sent down 10, despite both scorers shouting to umpire Peter Lilley after the second ball. John Morris, the highly-respected Friarmere scorer, ran to the middle, but Mahmood was told to carry on.

Imran Aslam, the Glodwick pro who has claimed close on 130 wickets in a season and a bit, went for 65 in nine wicketless overs.

Glodwick, seeking a first appearance in the semi-finals, needed a solid start. Instead they found themselves 13 for two after Mohammed Ayub had removed openers Broadhead and Waqqas Ahmed.

The home side’s hopes rested on Aslam and Stock, and the duo had put on 33 when Aslam got a leading edge to an Ayub delivery.

More controversy. Asif Qayyum reached out one-handed and the ball stuck. In an instant he tried to throw the ball into the air, but it fell out the back of his hand.

Some Glodwick players and spectators claimed a dropped catch but Aslam, who had made 17, continued his short walk back to the pavilion.

Imran Khan soon followed and, at 57 for four, Glodwick could see the exit opening in front of them.

Stock held firm to reach 50 before holing out to Atiq Ur Rehman, but Mahmood and Mark Parkinson refused to give way and, with some belligerent hitting, reduced the target to 110 from 10 overs.

But just when Glodwick had a sniff of victory, Friarmere struck a double blow.

Parkinson was bowled by Nisar Ahmed and in the very next over Mahmood, who had smashed four sixes and eight fours on his way to 72, got a top edge to an Iqbal delivery and sent the ball straight to Qayyum.

Ian Robinson made 20 and wicketkeeper Adam Brown finished unbeaten on 15, but it was Friarmere’s and Iqbal’s day.