(Part 11)

 Adam patting his arm tried to console however couldn't find the right words to do so.

The middleschoolers standing up looked at each other wordless. Without a further await Ezekiel spoke, "I'll head off now."

Alan remained silent. Heber returned back to the pavilion. Rauf gazed at him expressionless. Romeo too sat stern. Suddenly loud commentators' voice began to resound from the pavilion. The highschoolers jolted turning around to find Orion snickering twirling his phone. "What a wicket! A march back to the pavilion for a six? That's Feyz Saleh for you. The so called Lahore's 'Firework'! His fiery play is captivating! What an inswinger!! Karachi kings must have suffered quite a blow for a loss of partnership. Heber Bin Saad who heads back to the pavilion on 22(13) (22 runs scored on 13 deliveries). Taking a look at the replay…" 

"Haha!" Orion scoffed at the middleschoolers coldly, "There's no fun in the match without listening to the commentary or is there? They tend to kindle rage with quite heartwarming words on top of everything."

Nagi speechless grasped his nose bridge.

Senri, Noah and Aigou too looked away. "This idiot…" Isa thought.

Helios and Seraph hearing Orion's scornful remark glared mad. "You bastard…!" Gabriel gritted clenching his fists. Cassiel, Xavier and Azazel too looked at them disappointed.

"Just give it to me you little…!" Senri snatched Orion's phone away passing it to Rovan who gave it to Kazuna putting it to silent.

"Hey!" Orion retorted trying to get it back.

"From where did you even get the time to do this?" Noah asked in disbelief.

"I signed up for watching live matches. You know I don't like it without commentary." Orion retorted trying to take his phone back however no use. Ezekiel clicking his tongue went into the ground. 

Kubrah snickered closing his eyes, "I bet they'd be freaking out right now. First wicket, a sweet bowled must be too much for them to bear." Ashura looked ahead.

"I doubt so though. As haughty as Rauf is he won't reveal pressure by just some mere wicket." Suleiman replied.

"Exactly, the ones who'd be startled must be their middleschoolers instead. After all, we are technically sending their best openers back to the pavilion just like that." Alim pushed his glasses up.

Haroon sitting in the front smiled at the ground's sight. "From their middleschooler batting line until their fourth player, Kenzo ShahJahan. We'll have batsmen to face. Soon after, all-rounders will take the middle order ending on the 8th player with the rest three as ballers. So till our juniors can take those eight down. Everything's a piece of cake after that." John planned.

"Did you forget to take the run rate into account, John~" Zhangli asked playfully, "Their current run rate is 10.4. Do you think that's a joke? Even if they lose wickets but clearly give a high target instead. It will eventually be their win and burden over you." "Haiz~ to think they would go all out? Despite being middleschoolers, they are surely taking this course of play into their very advantage." he added. 

"What's the hurry to make assumptions? We have the whole game ahead of us. Even if their run rate is high, they aren't invincible." Akbar added stern."On the contrary, the ones who bother me the most right now are those two." he looked at Romeo and Haitam.

"If I am correct they have a match tomorrow right? So what are they doing here?" Ezra asked curious.

"Beats me. Let them waste time all they want. Not that it matters to us. Any one amongst them who lose will give us a chance to step forward instead." Alim snickered amused.

Ashura staring at the pitch silent, tapped his finger on the arm rest wondering into the depths of unknown.

Heber coming back settled before the middleschoolers, keeping his bat aside and removing his helmet, Kenzo handed him a sports drink assuring, "Calm down."

Heber panting smiled, "It's alright Captain… you're worrying too much."

"It's just like seniors said yesterday, batsmen are bound to get out only the amount of time we stand on the pitch depends on us. I am alright, don't worry. However, I leave the rest to you all." Heber looked at the ground.

Xavier squinting his brows remembered...

_____

The meeting ending, the boys headed out. "All of you…" Haruf called.

Halting amid their steps they turned around. "Yes?" Xavier asked back.

"Can I have a few words with you?" Haruf beamed.

The middleschoolers looking at each other nodded, seating down once more.

"Since this is your fist time stepping on a national stage, I wanted to give you all an advice especially for batsmen and middle order all-rounders." Haruf said.

Ezekiel, Kenzo, Heber, Adam and Feng listened attentive.

"Remember one and foremost important thing. On a field and at the pitch batsmen are bound to get out. Late or early only that depends on you. That's why if you get out under any circumstances do not blame yourselves however, correct your weak points and prepare for the next match. You know as a batsmen you are the fortress of a team's batting line and can't afford to get under pressure." Haruf advised seriously, "And if for instance, you start losing your wickets one, two four or taking the worst case scenario into mind even seven. Just do one thing and start building a partnership. A partnership that doesn't get out till the game ends."

Pondering for a short while. "Okay." they responded.

"And the opposite as well…" Evan added, "If you start taking opponent's wickets, don't over estimate yourself and become over confident. For who knows how flow of the match might change if a power hitter joins the game. Make sure, to take every single possibility and situation into mind before making any decision." 

______

Ezekiel tapping his fist with Adam's took the runner's crease. The last over of the powerplay about to commence, Arham took the balling.

"But… just one thing. How did I get out? I definitely used my joker cage which can control any pace delivery under my command, so what happened?" Heber asked confused.

"Spin… there was spin in the ball." Alan replied.

"Spin?!" Azazel repeated stunned.

"His hand gesture, didn't you saw him spin the ball in his fingers before delivering it?" Nidou asked.

Heber tried to recall.

"Feyz had been testing this observation since the third over, that whether could your joker cage command spins or not. Didn't you felt your commands getting delayed by every passing delivery he made towards you? It was because he was balling you by exerting a little amount of spin in every delivery. And that spin was very light to not even be judged in a pace ball." he explained, "Haiz, for a pace baller to merge even spin in his deliveries. He is indeed a genius."

"So he knew my Joker cage wasn't able to tackle spin." Heber grinned bleakly.

"No wonder, I had this feeling something was not right. Even after being inside the cage for so long he didn't even show any sign of confusion or losing his cool. Seriously… what a bummer." "But… not that it matters. I did give my all." he looked up at the others who surrounded him concerned, "It's alright~ come on, why are you all looking at me like that."

Kenzo glancing at Helios exhaled.

"Rather than worrying about me you should grasp a look over there." Heber gestured at the field.

The third delivery of the 6th over, Ezekiel and Adam took two runs.

"Arham, a 2nd year right handed off-spinner against right handed Adam and ambidextrous Ezekiel. After this over the powerplay will too end." Nagi summarized.

"I don't think I have any worries for now since Ezekiel's there against spins." Poseidon said convinced.

Adam taking the batting crease tapped his bat, "I might not be good at returning spins however, I feel seriously annoyed right now." Bowling an off break/ off spin, Adam left the crease, "Off spins are deadly against right handed players like me as they tend to be outside the pitch but will land inside the wicket. So before it even lands… I'll send it back!"

"Super! Doper! Wild tornado smash!!" Slamming the ball harshly towards the leg side mid-on for a huge six. It hit the audience's stands and back into the ground. He clapped his fist against Ezekiel's.

"Good job!" Ezekiel praised. 

The crowd cheering at the end of the powerplay. Karachi Kings overall score was 54 at the loss of 1 wicket.

"Now things will get a lot more interesting." Romeo whispered amused.

Lahore Qalandars gathering around chose their positions. "From now on spinners are going to rule. Will you be alright, Adam?" Ezekiel asked.

Adam smirked, "Like hell I won't be. I'll beat them up good time today!" he claimed ardently.

Alan tapping his finger on his lap sat with his eyes closed.

"Tired?" Aigou ruffled his hairs from above.

Alan glanced up once again closing his eyes, "Nope~ I am just waiting for fun."

Positions once again taken by Lahore, Adam and Ezekiel studied the field. "Outside the 30 inched circle; they have taken a star position. Long stop, cow corner, deep extra cover, deep backward square leg and sweeper points are all covered. As for the inside, excluding the baller and wicket keeper; Fly slip, cover, short fine leg and square leg are undertaken." Nagi observed.

Ezekiel taking the balling crease waited for the baller.

"Jahangir, A Frist year ambidextrous leg spinner. A perfect match for our Ezekiel." Helios smirked confident.

Ezekiel attentive waited for the approaching delivery.

The crowd under jubilant excitement continued to cheer for the two teams.