After the long wait thinking “Summer is coming”, the tour party for the first tour of 2025 was set to fly to Malta. But Munich Airport employees had surprise plans for the tour party, they called for a last minute strike at the airport, cancelling all the flights that was flying on the day as well a day after. The tour manager had to re-organise a lot of bookings to make shift arrange things, so that the tour could happen. For cricket we give everything, the dedication of our tourists paid off – a group of 4 set off day earlier than planned after struggling to find seats on earlier flights, another group set off to Vienna the next day to get to Malta. Finally, we managed to get 9 of our tourists on to the island before the game day. Achievement!!!! Not to cancel the tour.
The 4 Star treatment organized by the tour manager included a Tour guide (Sandy can give more details), pick up from airport, 4-star hotel room incl. Breakfast, Pick up and drop off to the ground on both days and an amazing dinner for all on the last day after the games. We were treated to some luxury that we are not very used to on a normal cricket day and cricket tour! Thanks to our Tour Manager – Such
The guys who came in earlier was welcomed by Anita, who was already on the island escaping from her Job (but we know that’s not the reason….). We hit a Mexican cocktail bar – especially when we saw the menu with „Pornstar Margaritas“ – Joy getting almost arrested for over excited and trying to become the bartender, ate at a Lebanese/Iranian restaurant etc. etc. etc. to make use of one extra day that we all got on a tour.
Match Day 1:
We were all pumped to play our first game of the season. Arriving at the ground we were amazed to see the quality of the ground. The lush green (cut to right) outfield, an astro turf and most important, changing rooms!!!!!! After intros and pleasantries, we won the toss and skipper elected to bat first in a 35 over game. Sandy and Simmi padded up and went in to open the innings for MCC. The first game of the season started with a great partnership between Sandy and Simmi. Sandy scoring an unbeaten 50 and Simmi 28. It was followed by some cameo shows from Nishant and Christian, where Christian showed the oppo how not to lose a wicket under pressure. Skipper Such came into the crease and built a partnership with Nishant and got to a fast 50 before he retired. Another cameo from Joy and Jaggi saw us get to a score of 209/9 in 35 overs. Best part of the game was that we played the whole 35 overs and 2 of our players starting the season strong with an unbeaten 50 and to see the spirit of a 73 year old Expat (Brit) diving at slip to take a catch to see one of us off in style – shows how much we all love this game of cricket.
Joy and Jaggi opened the spell for MCC, after Joy got MCC to a great start with an LBW, wickets fell in regular intervals and at some point we were looking at a win at the horizon. But then came partnerships that took the game away from us and the Hosts got to the score with one over to spare.
Knackered after out for the whole day on a sunny day, the boys were feeling all their muscles. After hot showers half of the team headed to watch some Carnival Parade and then for some drinks and some good dinner and to bed!
Match Day 2:
MCC came back to the ground with intend to win this game at any cost. Due to the rain predictions we had to agree to play two T-20s.
After losing the toss, we came into the field and bowled with some passion. The hosts were cruising to a great score, MCC struck with some wickets with Joy, Nishant and Jaggi striking. MCC came back again with some amazing bowling from Christian and Nishant taking two wickets each and restricted the hosts to a score of 144 in 20 overs.
Joy and Jaggi were sent to open the Inning. Another opening partnership that crossed 50 runs, and MCC were off to a flying start. Jaggi got out after making 17 runs and Joy remained unbeaten after a quick 33 ball 50. There was a stumble of wickets after that but MCC managed to get to a score of 142 in 20 overs, but losing by 2 runs.
The third game had to start soon after Lunch, and it looked like it was about to pour down any time soon. But we cruised through. MCC won the toss and chose to bat first. The loaned player from the hosts (Foreign Service employee from Indian Embassy) and Sandy gave MCC another brilliant opening partnership and we were cruising to a high score. Neeraj came in and hit some biggies and made a very quick 45 runs in no time. And MCC made 176 in 20 overs.
It was getting darker and darker, but we were determined to finish the game. Overs had to be reduced to finish the game and not to put the players under danger. After a nail-biting finish, MCC came on top and won the match.
After a sumptuous dinner at an amazing restaurant, we headed back to hotel for one more night’s sleep and off to Munich the next day.
P.S: If you ever hear any of us saying „Shaktiman“, make sure to change the language to English – else you might get into problem with our own Shaktiman (guess who it could be?)
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