Optimists Cricket Club

MOMAND’S BLITZ POWERS OCC TO DOMINANT FINALS-DAY VICTORY OVER STARS

OCC 1st XI 207/6 (20) beat Stars 1st XI 123/9 (20) by 84 runs

LCF Outdoor League 2026 – Division I | Finals Day | 6 September 2026

Finals Day had all the ingredients of a memorable cricketing occasion. The match got underway at 11:05 under brilliant sunshine, with the ground in pristine condition and a large crowd gathered to witness the big game.

The LCF Chairman, OCC Chairman, ICC Europe director (Andy), OCC committee members and grounds staff were all in attendance, alongside excellent support from the OCC faithful. The occasion had the atmosphere of a true final, and OCC responded with a performance worthy of it.

Stars won the toss and elected to bowl first — a decision that would ultimately prove costly.

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🚀 OCC Batting – A Flying Start, Then a Remarkable Finish

OCC’s innings was off to a flying start as William Cope and Asghar Ali immediately put the Stars attack under pressure.

The pair added 45 runs in just 3.4 overs, setting the tempo for what looked like it could become a very big total.

William’s stroke play was particularly impressive. His timing and aggression were on full display as he took three boundaries off Jatin in the same over, giving OCC the perfect start on an excellent batting surface.

But Stars responded.

After William’s dismissal in Kamal’s over, Stars fought their way back into the contest, taking three wickets between the 4th and 10th overs. OCC suddenly found themselves having to rebuild.

Aman, Asghar and Tony all played their part in trying to steady the innings, while Ben E held one end together with a composed innings.

At the halfway stage, OCC were 84/4 after 10 overs. The game was still very much in the balance.

Then came another momentum shift.
Thiyagu Changes the Tempo

Following the unfortunate run-out of Tony, Thiyagu came to the crease and immediately looked to attack.

He took the initiative against Mayank, hitting a couple of boundaries in his over and giving the OCC innings another push. His intent was exactly what OCC needed at that stage.

Thiyagu eventually departed in the 15th over, but his contribution helped set the platform for the defining passage of the innings.

💥 Enter Hashmat Momand
With OCC looking for a big finish, Hashmat Momand walked in at number 8.

What followed was extraordinary.
Hashmat joined Ben, who continued to anchor innings at the other end and ran hard for all the doubles which ensured Hashmat stayed on strike. The pair combined singles intelligently, keeping the scoreboard moving and Hashmat continued to attack.

Then the fireworks began.
Together, Ben and Hashmat added 78 runs in just 28 balls.

Hashmat scored a sensational 66 from just 24 deliveries, reaching his half-century in only 16 balls. His clean striking completely changed the complexion of the innings and turned a competitive total into a formidable one.

From 84/4 after 10 overs, OCC accelerated dramatically to finish on:
OCC 207/6 from 20 overs

Stars had fought their way back into the match during the middle overs, but Hashmat’s extraordinary late assault had put OCC firmly in the driving seat.

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🎯 Stars Chase – Milad’s Spell Destroys the Top Order

Stars required 208 to win, but their response initially suggested that the chase was still alive.

The Stars openers, Shiv Karan Singh and Mayank N, survived the early pressure and ensured that after the powerplay Stars had lost just one wicket.

With Advyth M coming in at number three, Stars had their top three established and the game remained in the balance.

OCC needed wickets — and Milad Momand delivered.

Coming on as the first change, Milad produced the decisive spell of the match.

He removed Shiv Karan Singh, Mayank N and the explosive Kamal S, meaning that Milad accounted for three of Stars’ top four wickets.

The dismissal of Kamal was also significant. Known for his ability to change a game quickly, Kamal was dismissed soon after hitting one boundary, eliminating the threat before it could develop.

Milad’s 3/28 effectively dismantled the core of the Stars batting order.

With their key batters gone, Stars simply could not maintain the required scoring rate.

Asghar and Tony Finish the Job: 
Milad’s spell was backed up superbly by the rest of the OCC bowling attack.

Asghar Ali K produced an excellent 3/20, while Tony W was outstanding with 2/1.

Once Milad had removed three of the top four, there was very little resistance left in the Stars line-up.

Apart from Shiv, Mayank and Advyth, none of the Stars batters managed to make a significant impact, and the OCC bowlers kept the pressure firmly on.

Stars eventually finished on:
123/9 from 20 overs giving OCC a comprehensive:
84-RUN VICTORY 🏆

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⭐ A Complete Finals-Day Performance

The final margin of 84 runs may make the victory look straightforward, but OCC had to navigate several important momentum swings during the game.

The innings began brilliantly with William and Asghar putting on 45 inside four overs. Stars then fought back strongly, reducing OCC to 84/4 after 10 overs.

Ben’s composure kept the innings together before Thiyagu provided another injection of momentum. Then came the decisive 78-run partnership in just 28 balls, with Hashmat producing one of the most explosive innings of the season.

With the ball, Stars were still in the contest after the powerplay, having lost just one wicket. But Milad’s introduction changed everything.

He removed three of Stars’ top four batters, including both openers and the dangerous Kamal, while Asghar and Tony ensured there would be no late comeback.

There was also a feeling throughout the day that everything was falling into place for OCC. The toss decision, the momentum shifts, the crucial wickets and the bowling changes all seemed to work in OCC’s favour.

But OCC still had to execute - and they did.

The large OCC contingent around the ground provided fantastic support throughout, while the presence of the LCF and OCC leadership, ICC Europe Director (Andy), committee members and grounds staff made it a fitting occasion for Finals Day.

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💥 The Momand Blitz
It was fitting that the story of the match belonged to the Momand brothers.

Hashmat Momand
66 off 24 balls, 50 in 16 balls (probably fastest in some time)

Milad Momand 3/28
Three of Stars’ top four wickets

One brother destroyed the Stars bowling attack with the bat.
The other dismantled their chase with the ball.

OCC 1st XI – 207/6 (20 overs)
Stars 1st XI – 123/9 (20 overs)

🏆 OCC 1st XI won by 84 runs

A dominant Finals-Day performance, a spectacular finish with the bat, ruthless bowling with the ball, and a memorable victory for OCC 1st XI. Great finish to the season where different team members stepped up to win the game. Great team work throughout the season.