Zaman Akhter certainly dazzled, as the match at Seat Unique Stadium in Bristol was the culmination of a brilliant individual performance. He helped launch Gloucestershire to an important advantage against Glamorgan in the Rothesay County Championship Division Two. His stellar six-over spell was highlighted by a brilliant yorker to dismiss Ben Kellaway for 21. The game proved to be an incredible alchemy of artistry and moxie. Colin Ingram’s brilliant hundred raised Glamorgan’s hopes of at least avoiding the follow-on.
The encounter played out illy, especially on the last day of play, with just about everything going down at once. Glamorgan started this important day on 106-0, 55 behind. And it came wrapped in a very serious challenge from their opponents Gloucestershire’s bowlers, who had demonstrated their quality all game. Akhter provided the biggest moment of that match so far when he bowled Kellaway in spectacular fashion. That influential hit sparked an impressive turnaround for his side.
Ingram, who had been the bedrock of Glamorgan’s innings, reflected on his time at the crease.
“It’s always nice to spend time in the middle.” – Colin Ingram
He completed a fluent hundred amid a gamechanging 129-run stand with wicketkeeper Chris Cooke, who scored 56. All his aggressive intent was on display early as he brought up his half-century by launching Ollie Price over long-on for six. Glamorgan’s batting order had a tough time, with Kiran Carlson succumbing to danger man Ajeet Singh Dale after making 22.
As the day went on, Gloucestershire’s faster bowlers made them pay with ruthless effectiveness. Although Ned Leonard and Shoaib Bashir fought valiantly, they could not withstand Akhter’s magnificent bowling prowess. The second new ball was taken at 270-5 just after lunch. Playing from deep and searching out their big men, it was evident that Gloucestershire were gaining the momentum in the fixture.
Ajeet Singh Dale underlined the tactical advantage received from mandating the follow-on.
“Enforcing the follow-on has put us in a good place to win the game, they’ve had a decent stint with the bat but we can come at them nice and fresh again.” – Ajeet Singh Dale
Glamorgan batted valiantly, but the hammer was well and truly down. Akhter’s all-round performance defined the game, as her three wickets swung the match’s momentum firmly in Gloucestershire’s favour. The visitors can hardly have beheld with equanimity their pair of trump cards bowled out in rapid succession by Akhter.
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