Warwickshire Cricket Board

The 2016 Final of the Last Man Stands Competition, brought together Smoking Paks and Birmingham Indians who had progressed through their semi-finals against Jewellery Quarter and Violent Vegans respectively.

Both teams had competed in the Birmingham North West Division with Smoking Paks having a 100% record with no losses.Smoking Paks won the toss and chose to bat first. Some big hitting from opening batsman Naeem Rehman, got them off to a great start with his 45 runs helping to reach the 10 over half way mark at 96 for the loss of 2 wkts. However Birmingham Indians bowlers held their nerves and continued to bowl good deliveries to the batsmen. Smoking Paks could not capitalise on their brilliant start and a batting collapse left them being all out for 124 runs in 14overs with Varun Verma claiming 3 wkts in his 1 over.

In reply Birmingham Indians opted for a steady approach in chasing their target, content on scoring singles as opposed to trying to hit boundaries. They reached the half way 10 over stage with 57 runs for the loss of 1 wkt and then with captain Jazz Matharu and Shaurya Sharma at the crease they decided to go for an all out attack for the second half of their batting , chasing the remaining runs needed of 72 in 7 overs with Matharu 39no , Sharma 45 and Karam Sharma hitting a mighty 6 to claim victory and break Smoking Paks unbeaten record, Birmingham Indians were crowned LMS 2016 Birmingham Champions.

Both Birmingham Indians and Smoking Paks will represent Birmingham in the Regional Finals hoping for a place at the National Finals weekend on 24/25 September in Northampton.