Shaikh, Malik Guide Warwickshire to Victory After Tazeem Shines Again
Warwickshire maintained their strong push for the knockout stages of the Metro Bank One-Day Cup with a commanding five-wicket win over Lancashire, led by composed half-centuries from Hamza Shaikh and Zen Malik, and another standout performance from teenage legspinner Tazeem Ali.
Chasing 250 for victory, Warwickshire reached their target with ease, finishing on 253 for 5 with 61 balls to spare. Shaikh top-scored with 75, while Malik struck a fluent 72, the pair adding a decisive 97-run partnership that broke the back of the chase. Kai Smith finished unbeaten on 45, providing the finishing touches to a dominant performance.
The chase followed a disciplined bowling display, headlined once again by 17-year-old Tazeem, who returned figures of 3 for 39. He now has 15 wickets in just five appearances in the competition and continues to be a revelation for the Bears.
Earlier, Lancashire’s innings struggled for fluency after a promising start. Despite losing Michael Jones for a duck in the second over to Ethan Bamber, the hosts rebuilt through George Bell (46) and Kesh Fonseka (43), who added 87 for the second wicket. But once Tazeem was introduced, momentum shifted. Fonseka fell to a sharp catch at cover by Shaikh, and Bell was trapped leg-before trying to sweep, both victims of Tazeem in successive overs.
Lancashire’s middle order attempted to stabilise with a 68-run stand between Marcus Harris (41) and Harry Singh (29), but Rob Yates and Jake Lintott kept chipping away. Yates bowled Harris with a beautiful offbreak, and Singh holed out to deep midwicket. Arav Shetty’s enterprising 40 from 30 balls gave Lancashire some late impetus, but Lintott’s double strike in the 49th over ensured the target remained modest.
Blatherwick’s career-best 4 for 48 was the lone bright spot in a struggling Lancashire bowling effort. He removed Ed Barnard (21), Rob Yates (23), and former Lancashire batter Alex Davies (8) in quick succession to reduce Warwickshire to 71 for 3. But from there, Malik and Shaikh took control.
Malik brought up his maiden List A half-century in just 39 balls and looked set for more before falling for 72, attempting a lofted shot off Blatherwick that was caught at the boundary. Shaikh continued serenely, reaching his own fifty before being bowled with just five runs needed.
The result leaves Warwickshire well-placed in the standings, while Lancashire’s disappointing campaign continues. With just one win from seven matches, their hopes of progress are now over.
Match Summary:
Lancashire 249/9 (Bell 46, Fonseka 43, Tazeem 3-39)
Warwickshire 253/5 (Shaikh 75, Malik 72, Blatherwick 4-48)
Result: Warwickshire won by 5 wickets with 61 balls to spare.