Parsis at the pitch

Iranian/Parsi names (first or last) were frequently heard at the 2015 Cricket World Cup recently concluded in Australia and New Zealand. Afghanistan had Nawroz Mangal, Dawlet and Shapoor Zadran. Pakistan included Ahmed Shehzad, Ehsan Adil and Nasir Jamshed. South Africa had Farhaan Behardien and UAE boasted of a Kamran Shahzad.

Rushad Parekh (right) receiving Best Batsman award

On a much smaller scale but with equal intensity was played the traditional Australian Zoroastrian Association (AZA) annual cricket match at Langlands Oval in Sydney last December. Eight or 80, age was no barrier for the cricketers. Despite lack of big names, the Zoro versus Zoro match was razor-sharp as Porus Govekar’s XI beat Viraf Variava’s XI in the final pulsating over.
Openers from both teams showed attractive stroke-play. Variava’s team started their innings on a sunny Sunday with Kerfegar Parekh and left-handed Rayo Pavri. After Pavri was run-out by an accurate throw, Jal Marolia and Parekh attacked with gusto. Parekh hit five splendid fours and retired at 30 as per the rules. Jal Marolia, Arzaan Mirza and others continued with the good start before wickets started toppling as Zubin Marolia took 3 for 8 in four overs. It was crisis time when skipper Variava came in to bat. He smacked five ferocious fours in his 31 retired and his team totalled 136 in 30 overs.
Khushrav Mirza, Govekar, Rushad Parekh and Homeher Bana bowled effectively. Shyan Govekar, aged eight, and Jehan Bhagwagar stole the show with their bowling and agile fielding.
"Chasing 137 runs for a win, Porus Govekar’s XI started with a bang. Bana, batting like Virat Kohli, hammered 30 retired with a four and two towering sixes and young Rushad hit 29 including two spectacular sixes,” reported Manashni, the AZA newsletter. Captain Porus played a hurricane knock of 36 retired, studded with eight fours and his team was at one stage 90 for 2. Others defended well before Jal Marolia captured wickets. Surosh Khurshed who contributes jokes in Manashni bowled economically and, like other juniors, fielded with flair. Variava’s wicket-keeping was M. S. Dhoni-like and Kerfegar took two acrobatic catches à la Suresh Raina.
Porus’ XI won the match in the final over by one wicket in a cliff-hanging finish. Bana was adjudged Man of the Match and Rushad Parekh was presented the Phiroze Bhagwagar Shield for the Best Batsman.