Season Preview

The effervescent Cougars start their 2006 season on March 12th against HCC with a desire to improve on their brilliant 2005 performance.

The erstwhile Jaam Niaz Ali (baba saaein) is leading this talented side for the first time and brings with him his competitive spirit and explosive batting (not to discount his years of experience toiling against the bowlers of rural Sanghar).

The 2005 season was a fairly successful one for the Cougars A side when they ended on top of Division 2 with some sterling performances by several members of the team. Jaam and then captain Mustafa Hemani ended up as the team's top two batsmen while Amir, Danish and Faisal all ended up with 25+ wickets in the season. The team powered its way into the semis where they lost to MCC, the eventual winners of the HCL Championship, by 4 wickets.

The 2006 season is a harbinger of new leadership, new hopes and new goals for this band of loyal cricket enthusiasts and friends. The Cougars 'franchise' is talented enough to beat any team if they play to their potential, and with the return of such stalwarts as Saif, Zahid and Hussain, it is hoped that this season will be the one when the Cougars go all the way.

The attacking opening duo of Shehzad and Rehan bring their unique right and left-handed combination to the front of the batting line-up. With Hussain 'Big G' as the next in line top order batsman the Cougars are not short on experience. Mustafa H., Jaam, Danish and Zahid make up a solid and stroke-making middle order that can blow any bowling attack to smithereens. Mustafa Cochinwala, Amir, Saif, Faisal and Mudasar Q. make up the rear of the order which can never be called a tail since they all have some outstanding innings to their credit. Mudassar Sajjad and Junaid are new entrants this season who provide added reserve power to this talented side.

The Cougar bowling attack is perhaps the most varied and talented group of pitchers in the HCL! With the 'Fearsome Four' pace attack of Saif, Amir, Rehan and Mudasar the Cougars possess the best fast bowling quartet in this amateur league. These pacers are ably supported by the spin of Faisal, Danish and Mustafa Hemani all of whom are capable of running through a batting line-up on their own. With 8 genuine bowlers at his disposal for every game, the captain has no dearth in talent and skill to outclass the opposition.

It is hoped that this year will be a marquee season for the Cougars who can achieve the top prize by showing their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude that has propelled them to being one of the premier teams of the HCL. With renewed focus on their fielding and catching, and under Jaam Saeein's experienced wings, the Houston Cougars Sports Club should be considered one of the favorites for the 2006 HCL season.