(Part 12)
The field set and Islamabad's United players positioned on the field, Juhan took the First over of the innings.
Aigou, taking the batting crease, grabbed the bat in his right hand, studying the fielding placements. "They are all inside. Only Seon Yul on Fine Leg. Rovan, Ibn Sena and Azam on Mid-off, Mid-on and Square leg. Venus, Mikael and Hamza on Cover, point and Second slip respectively. While, as smart they are, they also placed Short leg and gully. Gully for me and Short Leg for Heber."
"Wow, aren't you all flames before the game even started? It's invigorating." Emaad remarked from his wicket keeper's position.
Aigou narrowed his gaze, giving a cool smile, "Why? Are you worried that we're about to turn up the heat and scorch the run chase?"
"Haha, of course, you are going to do that. If our bowlers allow you to do so." Emaad gave a clashing smirk.
"Well too bad, young ones. We don't need their permission." Aigou grinned, tapping the bat on the crease, looking forward to the first ball.
Haruf smiled for a while, resting his finger and thumb under his chin. Looking to his right, he called out, "Adam."
"Yes, big guy?" Adam responded, sounding curious.
Aaron blinked. "Big guy…?" he thought amused.
Haruf pointed towards the highest seat in the stands, "Why don't you head up there and watch Aigou from above?"
Adam, sharing a puzzled glance with Ryan, soon made his way upstairs.
"And pay close attention, Adam. Observe how an opening batsman like Aigou plays the role of a wild card. Note which balls he handles with which shots, and how each shot impacts his game. Note the subtle signals he gives with his stance, the way he adjusts to different deliveries, and how he anticipates the bowlers' strategies. Observe not just the physical techniques, but the mental adjustments he makes like which deliveries should be played with aggression and which with caution, while reading the game's tempo at the same time." Haruf advised.
"Signals and tempo…?" Adam processed mixed up. "Um… whatever I understand. I'll do that, big guy." he replied, bounding up the stairs. He stood behind the seats, leaning on the backrest and resting his torso slightly on it. His eagle-like eyes scanned the field intently, a smile on his face.
Ezekiel, Feng, and Kenzo, who had been listening pondered, "Just a few words and it reveals his talent and experience."
"As expected from the Top 3." Helios thought.
Juhan charging in through the 30 inched circle, the crowd cheered, "KARACHI! ISLAMABAD! KARACHI! ISLAMABAD! ISLAMABAD!!"
Stepping onto the popping crease, Juhan whispered, "Cyclone Spiral."
The ball, encased in a swirling wind vortex, hurtled towards Aigou. As it tapped the pitch, the natural swing intensified, creating a wild deviation. Aigou, his concentration at its peak, observed the ball's movement and immediately countered with a solid front-foot defense. The crowd gasped as Juhan swiftly collected the ball on its return.
"Wow…" Mikael muttered, swallowing hard.
"I couldn't even tell if it was an inswinger or an outswinger," Azazel added in awe.
Nagi, ever analytical, explained, "Aigou is a master at returning pace-spin deliveries. Once his Door is activated, his focus becomes razor-sharp, allowing him to read the grip, stance, and trajectory of the delivery with pinpoint accuracy, crafting the perfect counter in response."
Helios nodded, remembering his confrontation with Aigou back at the base.
The next two deliveries aimed directly for Aigou's stumps, but he met them with firm front-foot defenses each time.
"Well done, everyone," Rovan encouraged his teammates.
Suddenly a gust of wind ruffled Aigou's hair. He glanced at Juhan who walked back. "The swing on his deliveries is so unnatural that I'm forced to defend them on the front foot. I can't predict when one might crash into the stumps. It's annoying. And this wind—of all times, it had to blow right now." he thought in disbelief.
For the third ball of the over, Juhan whispered, "Boreal Figment." As he released the ball, a cold wind swept past Heber, making him shiver. Aigou narrowed his eyes, analyzing. "A slow ball…?" he readied himself for a high shot, but Juhan smirked. Suddenly, the ball accelerated as the wind dispersed.
Aigou, startled, stepped back, swinging his bat hard and sending the ball toward Extra Cover. "Damn it!" he cursed as the ball sailed into the air, with Venus in pursuit.
"Run, Heber!" Aigou shouted, urging Heber forward. "Go for two, quickly!" he called as they passed each other.
"But what if it's a catch?" Heber worried, but he continued his dash, barely making it back for the second run as Juhan prepared to strike the stumps.
Just before Juhan could act, Heber whispered, "Triple 'L' Movement 2: Life Surge!" A surge of power shot through him, and he reached the non-striker's crease just as Juhan received the ball, panting in relief.
The crowd erupted in cheers over the narrow escape.
"Risky! That was so risky, but Heber Bin Saad made it just in time and Aigou laughs," Jones exclaimed.
"That shot nearly cost them, but they managed two runs finally commencing the run chase," Maaz added.
"Geez… I thought my heart stopped," Noah said, covering his eyes in relief.
"Same here, brother," Haris sighed, equally relieved.
Xavier smiled, while Helios observed intently.
"Thank goodness. All that observation would've been wasted if he got out," Adam remarked.
Haruf chuckled while Evan and Rauf watched silently.
"Haha! Great job, Heber!" Aigou cheered, giving Heber a thumbs up.
Heber, though, merely twitched an eyebrow, annoyed. "If I'd gotten out, it would've been all his fault," he thought irritably.
Juhan rubbed the ball against his forehead, gripping it tightly with his index and middle fingers close together along the seam. Stepping onto the popping crease, he whispered, "Boreal Figment."
The full-length delivery pitched on a good length, aimed at Aigou's leg stump. Aigou smirked, thinking, "Oh, it's slowing down again. Unfortunately, it doesn't!" The ball swung slightly inwards, increasing its speed as it approached his pads.
"Seon Yul is at fine leg…" Aigou noted as he got into position.
As the ball neared, he deftly opened the face of his bat, flicking it with his wrists. The ball connected with the bat just above his pad, redirecting sharply towards fine leg. Heber, ready to take a run, was halted by Aigou.
Moments later, Heber watched as the ball raced past Seon Yul and crossed the boundary.
The crowd erupted in cheers as Karachi scored their first four runs.
"Yes!" Azazel and Cassiel clapped, while Adam gasped in surprise.
"Haha!" Aigou laughed with delight, gesturing Heber a thumbs-up, while Juhan gave him a stern look.
Noticing Juhan's intense gaze, Aigou inquired, "What's wrong? Want to ask me what's so funny? Or are you just realizing I play better than I did two years ago?"
Juhan, ignoring the comment, turned and walked away.
The first over of the run chase ended with Karachi accumulating 6 runs without losing a wicket. Aigou and Heber exchanged a glove tap while the fielders mirrored their positions for the left handed Heber.
Wasif, taking the ball from the umpire glanced at Juhan who had taken the Mid-on while Ibn Sena had shifted to short leg. "What's up, buddy? Is the actor giving you a hard time?" he asked Juhan.
Juhan remained silent.
"Don't worry. I am here to watch your back." Wasif assured heading back.
Heber, tapping his bat on the crease, breathed deeply. "Even if it's a high schooler, it's alright. I have already practiced a lot with Senior Kazuna, Evan, Aaron, Ren, Nagi and Alan. Still… it can't help but feel slightly anxious." he thought concentrating ahead.
"Don't you think that Senior Juhan is quite serious?" Seraph remarked.
"He is. Just like our Zach," Senri replied, making a comparison.
Zach listened in silence. "But it's different in a way because Juhan stays quiet due to his sharp tongue and sarcastic responses. He rarely says anything positive, so he often appears serious and reserved. In contrast, our Zach has a habit of silence. He's actually quite caring and emotive but struggles to express it because he's so quiet. Zach is never impulsive. Those two are very different kinds of quietness and seriousness," Senri explained in his usual eccentric way.
Zach sighed in disbelief, while Seraph looked at him skeptically, muttering, "Never impulsive, huh?"
"I agree." Isa smiled at the two.
"Me too." Alan added.