Ajmal picks up six awards after another successful season

Victoria Cricket Club held their annual Awards Dinner recently hosted by main sponsor, Maloney’s Diner.
By The Newsroom
Published 2nd Nov 2014, 16:00 BST
Muhammad Ajmal who picked won the Players Player of the Year award, as well as the 1st XI Batting Averages, 1st XI Bowling Averages, 1st XI Player of the Year, an Ulster Bank award for his 6-33 against Millpark, and an Ulster Bank Award for his 102 against Drumaness. Pictured here with 1st XI Captain, Matthew Parks.Muhammad Ajmal who picked won the Players Player of the Year award, as well as the 1st XI Batting Averages, 1st XI Bowling Averages, 1st XI Player of the Year, an Ulster Bank award for his 6-33 against Millpark, and an Ulster Bank Award for his 102 against Drumaness. Pictured here with 1st XI Captain, Matthew Parks.
Muhammad Ajmal who picked won the Players Player of the Year award, as well as the 1st XI Batting Averages, 1st XI Bowling Averages, 1st XI Player of the Year, an Ulster Bank award for his 6-33 against Millpark, and an Ulster Bank Award for his 102 against Drumaness. Pictured here with 1st XI Captain, Matthew Parks.

A good crowd turned out to celebrate a hugely successful season, in which the 1st XI consolidated their place in Section 2 following their dramatic promotion last year, the 2nd XI challenged at the top of Junior League 6, while the 3rd XI enjoyed their best finish for a number of years, finishing in fourth place in Junior League 9.

The awards were dominated by Muhammad Ajmal, who topped both the 1st XI batting and bowling averages, and he picked up the 1st XI Player of the Year award. Babar Khan was awarded the 1st XI Captain’s Award by Matthew Parks, in recognition of a terrific season, in which he played every match, taking 40 wickets in the process.

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The 2nd XI awards were picked up by Andrew Gray, who won both the Batting and Bowling averages, and picked up the 2nd XI Player of the Year. Robert Black presented his Captain’s Award to Sammy Irwin, who broke into the 2nd XI this year, as well as making his debut for the 1st XI, and made a huge contribution in the field.

In the 3rd XI, Glenn Thompson topped the Batting averages, while Caleb Boomer was the recipient of the bowling averages trophy. Harry Prasad was picked as the 3rd XI Player of the Year, while Gregory Mullin also awarded him his Captain’s Award, for his willingness to travel to all games from his home in Belfast.

Muhammad Ajmal also received two Ulster Bank NCU Awards for performances throughout the season, picking up one for his match winning 6 wickets for 33 runs in a pivotal victory over Millpark, and the other for a dazzling 102 against Drumaness. Adam McClelland was also presented with a cheque in recognition of his unbeaten 122 against North Down IV, which he kindly chose to donate to the British Heart Foundation.

Maureen McClelland and Joan Gray were also presented with gift vouchers to thank them for their help throughout the season preparing the teas.

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The club awards were presented, and it was no surprise that the Players’ Player of the Year was awarded to Muhammad Ajmal, as he collected his sixth award of the night. The addition of Ajmal to the Victoria bowling attack, added an extra dimension which was needed in order to compete in Section 2, while his consistency with the bat alleviated pressure on a sometime fragile batting line up.

Jordan Walsh was the recipient of the Young Player of the Year award, after becoming an important member of the 1st XI towards the end of the season.

Matthew Parks was awarded the John McClelland Trophy, for the Clubman of the Year, in recognition of his work throughout the club.

The prestigious Top Duck Award, despite his performances for the 1st and 2nd XI, was won by Jordan Walsh.

Victoria CC thank Maloney’s Diner for their continued support and sponsorship.