VIDARBHA skipper Faiz Fazal started his third season with Ireland’s Lisburn Cricket Club with a bang. The southpaw’s unbeaten century at top of the order sealed a thumping 9-wicket win over CIYMS in their opening encounter of the Northern Cricket Union Premier League played at Belmont, Belfast.

Batting first, CIYMS (Church of Ireland Young Men’s Society) Cricket Club scored 217-7 in 50 overs. Mark Adair (55; 68b, 7x4, 1x6) was the top scorer. Faiz rolled his arm over for two overs and gave away ten runs. In the field, he took two important catches including that of Adair. D Simpson and M Berry took three wickets each for Lisburn.

Faiz (109*; 120b, 9x4, 5x6) and Jonathan Waite (79; 118b, 11x4, 1x6) gave the team a rollicking start putting on 204 for the opening wicket. The required runs were easily scored with N Whitworth remaining not out on four. Lisburn made 218 for one in 39 overs.