Warriors claim win over Police

In an initiative that aimed to assist in fostering the relationship between Victoria Police and the Victorian Islamic community, the Twenty20 match wrapped up in the 18th over with the Warriors surpassing the Police’s total of 118.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Victoria Police started slowly, standing on 2-47 after the first ten overs.
A half-century from opener Tristan Kassis, which came off 47 balls and included four boundaries and two sixes, steadied the Police’s innings to see them finish their 20 overs on 5-118.

Western Warriors captain Adnan Khawaja was the sole multiple wicket-taker, claiming 2-15 from four overs.

In reply, the Warriors came out the blocks early, notching 2-59 after seven overs with opener and eventual Man of the Match Mubasher Hassan smashing 46 off 24 balls, including six fours and one maximum.

Although the Police’s Adam Kinniburgh (2-13) and Paul Bridges-Black (2-33) applied pressure on the Warriors batting line-up, taking a couple of wickets each, the Pakistani and Indian team managed to pass the Police’s score with 10 balls to spare, claiming a five-wicket win.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp was in attendance on the day, acknowledging Victoria’s multicultural community during his speech at the innings break as well as presenting the winning trophy to the Warriors.

“As Victoria Police we are a part of the community and we work collectively and collaboratively with so many different communities,” Crisp said at the event.

“We have all come from somewhere at some time or another, unless you are of the Indigenous community, and we all have a responsibility to work together and to live together harmoniously.”

Commonwealth Bank Bushrangers spinner Fawad Ahmed also spoke at the match noting the importance on camaraderie in cricket.

“As we have seen today, sport is really important and can bring different communities and different cultures together,” Ahmed said.

“I’ve made a lot of really good friends in cricket and we are lucky to be living in the sporting capital of the world.”