Imraan Philander not only wants to help Ottoman become a force in the Western Province Premier League – he is also pushing for senior provincial recognition.
The 23-year-old pace bowler who earned national colours when he represented the national under-19 team during Pakistan’s seven match inbound tour in 2019, has since failed to impress provincial and national coaches.
But having taken eleven wickets in four games thus far this season, the resident of Grassy Park wants to build on his early season successes to stake a claim in Salieg Nackerdien’s WP Blitz side.
“This is my second season with the club. I joined when we were playing in the First Division. But sure, I would like to see us consolidating our place in the league. One of my objectives this season is to get my career to a higher level. I know that I am capable of doing it. But so far, I’m enjoying my cricket,” said Philander.
He is presently working for a property company after obtaining a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Western Cape.
On Saturday, the lanky seamer played a leading role in his side’s one wicket win over Milnerton at their Diamant Street home venue in Surrey Estate on Saturday. Not only did he take 3/16 in six overs but also played a part by keeping a cool and scoring three runs off 14 deliveries when his side held on for dear life.
The match headed for an exciting climax when Ottoman needed one run to win when Sadick Davids (1) lost his wicket in the 29th over. With the scores locked on 81 Mogamad Taahir Fredericks (1) got an inside edge onto a Rostill Wessels delivery to score the winning run for the homeside.
Ottoman bowled the visitors out for eighty-one runs in 39.3 overs and reached the winning target in 29.5 overs with Abdul-qadeer Salie top- scoring 33 runs after facing the same hostile bowling from Malcolm Cloete. The fiery Cloete took 5/22 in 10 overs. This is Ottoman’s second win of the season.
Claremont, meanwhile, beat log leaders Bellville by six wickets thanks to an excellent second wicket partnership of 141 runs between Daneil Smith (89) and Saulieg Rayned 76.
Chasing 221 Claremont lost an early wicket when Joshua Pistorius (0) lost his wicket with only 18 runs on the scoreboard. The University of the Western Cape won their first match of the season when they beat Green Point by six wickets.
Saturday’s fixtures
Bellville vs Kraaifontein; Green Point v Brackenfell; Milnerton v Cape Town Cricket; Durbanville v Claremont; Ottoman v Western Province Cricket Club; Rondebosch v UWC
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