The opening overs were brutal. The state team's batters played with confidence, punishing anything loose.
Coach signaled for a change.
"Zaid, warm up. You're bowling next."
He nodded and stepped forward. It was his turn to make an impact.
First Ball.
He ran in, his body moving in perfect rhythm. The ball left his hand, landing on a length—sharp in-swinger.
The batter misjudged. The ball thudded into the pads.
APPEAL!
The umpire took a moment before raising his finger.
OUT!
Zaid pumped his fist. One down. Two more to go.
The fielding side erupted in celebration, but Zaid remained focused. One wicket wasn't enough. He needed more.
He walked back to his mark, eyes locked onto the next batter. A left-hander.
Sameer jogged over. "Keep it tight. He likes driving on the off-side."
Zaid nodded. He adjusted his grip slightly, planning his next move.
Second Ball.
He steamed in again, this time angling the delivery across the batter. The batsman prodded forward—outside edge!
The ball flew towards slips.
CAUGHT!
Zaid barely had time to react before his teammates swarmed him.
Two wickets in two balls.
He exhaled sharply. Could he get a hat-trick?
Hat-trick Ball.
The new batsman took his guard, clearly nervous. The pressure was on.
Zaid focused. This was his moment.
He sprinted in, delivering a sharp leg-cutter. The batter tried to defend—inside edge!
The ball crashed into the stumps.
TIMBER!
The crowd roared. Hat-trick!
Zaid stood still for a second, letting it sink in. He had done it.
His teammates jumped on him in excitement.
Sameer grinned. "You're on fire, man!"
Zaid smirked. And he wasn't done yet.
The state team was shaken. They had lost three wickets in no time.
Coach Sharma clapped from the sidelines. This was exactly what he wanted to see.
Zaid adjusted his cap, glancing at the scoreboard.
Three wickets down. But the job wasn't finished.
He took his mark again. It was time to keep pushing.
Score Update:
• Opposition Team: 132/7 (Target: 250)
The energy on the field was electrifying. Three wickets in three balls. Zaid's heart was still pounding.
The next batsman walked in cautiously, his team struggling at 132/7. The fielders crowded around, sensing another breakthrough.
Sameer clapped from behind the stumps. "One more, Zaid!"
Zaid exhaled. Focus. Rhythm. Execution.
Next Over
Zaid adjusted the field, setting up for an off-cutter. He ran in and delivered a deceptive slower ball.
The batter mistimed the shot—straight to mid-wicket!
OUT!
Score: 132/8
Zaid pumped his fist. Four wickets now. The opposition was crumbling.
The other bowlers tightened the screws, restricting runs. The scoreboard pressure mounted.
By the time Zaid was brought back, the state team was eight down for 145 runs.
Coach signaled for him to finish the job.
Final Spell
Zaid bowled a sharp bouncer. The batter fended awkwardly—caught at short leg!
Five wickets. A fifer.
Score: 145/9
The crowd erupted. Zaid Khan was the name on everyone's lips.
The final wicket fell soon after. The opposition was all out for 152.
Victory!
Zaid walked off as the system notification popped up.
[Quest Completed!]
[+10 Skill Points Earned]
[Special Ability Unlocked: Precision Yorker]
A new ability? This was huge.
Zaid clenched his fists. He was ready for bigger challenges.
The dressing room was buzzing. A dominant victory, a five-wicket haul for Zaid, and a step closer to the finals.
Coach patted Zaid on the back. "You just put the whole league on notice, kid."
Sameer grinned. "Man of the match again. What's new?"
Zaid chuckled, but inside, he was already thinking ahead. One more match. Then the finals.
Match Results & Scorecard
• Zaid's Bowling Figures: 5/26 in 8 overs
• Final Score:
• Opponent: 152 all out
• Zaid's Team: Chased it down in 32 overs (Winning by 6 wickets)
One more game to go.
Social media was flooded with Zaid's clips. His lethal bouncers, his yorker dismissals, and that hat-trick delivery.
Cricket analysts were already calling him a future star.
Zoha sent a message: "Congratulations! I knew you'd kill it! ❤️"
Zaid smiled. He wanted to reply instantly, but then… hesitated. He wasn't used to texting much.
After a full minute of thinking, he typed back: "Thanks :)"
Sameer peeked over his shoulder. "That your girl?"
Zaid elbowed him. "Shut up, bro."
Coach didn't let them celebrate for long. The next morning, they were back in the nets.
Zaid worked on his Precision Yorker—the new ability he unlocked.
[Ability: Precision Yorker]
[Effect: Increases accuracy in delivering pinpoint yorkers, making them harder to hit.]
He practiced relentlessly. The ball started hitting the blockhole perfectly.
By the end of the session, even the senior batters were struggling against him.
Night Before the Semifinals
Zoha called. "Feeling nervous?"
"A little."
"Want me to come watch?"
Zaid hesitated. Would it be a distraction?
"…Yeah. I'd like that."
"Great. See you there, superstar."
The semifinals were here. Everything was on the line.
Zaid looked at the sky. This was his moment.