Meanwhile, at another corner of the park, Manish sat on a bench, with a cast on his arm.
"Ali and Shrivastav, what's your plan to face Akib?" Asked Manish.
"He has decided to play a 11 that is filled with spin." Began Ali. "And we know that Samuel loves spin."
Ali was right. Akib had set the 11 up with two spinners and a spin all rounder.
It was a complete counter to Ali, Zayed, Siddarth and Dalal. Only Shrivastav and Samuel were good against spin. It was as though Akib had his own system, except he didn't have one.
But the main counter to their spin heavy line up was right in front of them. It was Shrivastav and Samuel.
However, if they weren't used in the right manner, their ability to play well against spin would be wasted.
"We will start the match off by playing defensively." Began Ali. "Trick Akib into thinking he has gained control."
"Akib is too smart to be tricked like that." Countered Manish.
"He knows we have players that counter spin." Began Ali. "So everyone will initially play defensively, even those who counter spin."
"Then, in the middle overs, we slowly start attacking." He continued. "As much as possible."
"Good idea." Praised Manish. "But the rest of the team who can't counter spin need to practice against it as much as possible."
"I already told the coach." Began Ali. "He has arranged some net bowlers."
Suddenly, Ali got a notification from his system.
[New Quest]
Two Pasts Collide, One writes the future
Goal: Beat Excellence PU College
Reward: +1 Player Aura Slot
One player aura slot? That would be huge!
Ali could finally show his skill as a all rounder. He was usually a all rounder who would bowl a max of one over in a match. When he unlocks the new slot, he can equip a bowler's player aura and do well in bowling too. He would get an extra weapon to use. Himself.
All he had to do was beat Excellence, and with it, the first guy to ever give him a chance in the district circuit.
But this was easier said than done. Unless Ali used Anzal and his short fuse to his advantage.
"As for fielding, we will slowly pressure Anzal." Said Ali. "I'm sure Akib has tried to force Anzal into defensive play. But we will make sure the scoreboard pressures him."
"How?" Asked Manish.
"I know Anzal is very hot tempered." Began Ali. "The moment he starts seeing a lot of dot balls and singles, he will stop being a part of Akib's plan. That's when we strike."
"Akib's plan will be to defend against Anirudh and Chirag." Said Ali. "That's why we will use most of their overs in the first four overs, to frustrate Anzal."
"The same way you broke Siddarth down in the inter house tournament." Said Shrivastav.
"See, now this is why I had asked the coach to let you be the captain." Said Manish. "You literally have a plan for everything."
"Anyways, I got to go." Said Manish. "The coach is calling me for a discussion."
Ali and Manish said their goodbyes, and the Ashwandeep team kept training until the Sunday afternoon.
The next day, Ali got up from his bed, before doing his usual routine and putting his kit bag into the bus.
The bus was silent. Completely silent. No giggles, chats or any happiness of any kind.
They were going to face a team with some of the best talents in Mangalore, no, maybe in all of Karnataka.
Maybe after
Ali walked out to Ashwandeep's small but familiar homeground, the Nehru Maidan.
The grass rustled through the pitch, a flat, but slightly cracked pitch, one perfect for spin and power packed batting.
The Excellence PU College team had already arrived, ready to keep their win streak in the bracket qualifying table.
Whoever won this match today would be on top of the qualifying table. Maybe even after the end of the qualifiers.
"Ali." Said Akib, before showing his hand for a handshake. "The last time we talked, it was in the auditorium about recent events. Now, we talk again, but this time, on opposite sides. Good luck."
Akib hadn't changed, still speaking in a formal manner to his opponents before a match.
Anzal was behind Akib, sizing Ali up.
"So this is the kid Akib is so worried about?" Thought Anzal.
Ali shook Akib's hand, before saying, "We face each other, for the first of many times, I think."
Anzal was annoyed. He was tired of seeing Akib happily talking to his opponent.
"Enough with the false pleasantries, Akib!" Shouted Anzal. "Is he really the player you were so worried about? He's nothing in front of me!"
"Respect your opponent, and you win half the match, Anzal." Countered Akib. "Overconfidence leads to destruction."
"Calm down, Anzal." Told Mahit. "The match hasn't even started. Put your anger into the match, not Akib."
Anzal was fuming again. At that moment, Suraj came to defend Ali.
"You aren't even the captain of your own team." Said Suraj. "Even your own teammates are reprimanding you."
Anzal was about to hit Suraj, but was held by Mahit and Akib.
Behind them, Millind was laughing at them, despite being a member of the same team.
"I actually feel bad for that Akib. Imagine having to deal with that bull Anzal." Scoffed Millind.
Millind hated Anzal. He believed that Anzal never deserved his talent, so much so that he wished he could go deaf in one ear just to stop hearing Anzal speak.
"Now stop it." Ordered Akib. "We are here to play a match, not to fight in a brawl."
Anzal went silent again. Even his own teammates were stopping him.
In one of the tents, Manish sat with his hand in a cast, hoping to see a Ashwandeep victory.
Shrivastav and Akib stood on the middle of the pitch to take the toss.
"Akib, call." Said the umpire.
"Heads." Said Akib, confidently.
The coin was tossed and it landed on…
TO BE CONTINUED
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