Vålerenga vs Aliens, SL (Div 1) Match 2
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
Vålerenga won the toss and elected to bat. They got of to a very quick start with some aggressive strokeplay and a hefty dose of luck early on whilst the field was up. Racing to 50 off just the first 5.
Aliens struck back with curtesy of some wickets to Tom, Dennis and 2 to Sushil in the overs before drinks. These wickets coupled with some tight bowling from our spinners Dave and Gareth brought us back into the game.
We didn’t quite take the wickets we needed to whilst they were under pressure in the middle overs, the Vålerenga batters keeping some wickets to spare for a quick finish. They ended up on 218 which was somewhat less than it could’ve been after their lightning start but still was a decent total for us to try and chase. Hightlights of the bowling was 4 wickets to Sushil and the super tight bowling from our spinners to drag us back into it- bowling that deserved a lot more than 1 wicket between them.
We started off well enough with the bat but just behind the runrate. We had some setbacks with wickets after the power play was over which held us back but still were still in with a shot at 3-80 after 15 needing approximately 130 off the remaining 20.
Tom came to the crease and joined our opener Pratik and set about building a great partnership. They put on 110 runs together and the required run rate was slowly but surely creeping downwards making this seem within our grasp. If only the pair could see it through! Wasn’t to be though, unfortunately in a quest to keep things ticking over we lost both batsmen in the 30th over. Tom for a well made 44 and Pratik a brilliant 90 playing shots all over the ground. This deserved to be a match winning innings but unfortunately with the 2 set batsmen out in quick succession the new batters weren’t able to keep up the required rate. Our six hitting options Sushil and Benan both fell cheaply signalling the end of our challenge. We ended up falling ten runs short. A decent effort with the bat but we just weren’t able to match Vålerengas firepower in the final overs to get ourselves over the line.
Strømsø A vs Aliens, T20 (Div 2) Match 4
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
When: 2nd August 2025
Where:
Strømsø 166/6 (20)
Aliens 0/0 (0)
Abandoned
(Match report here)
Aliens vs … , T20 (Div 2) Match ?
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
When: 31st May 2025
Where: Sandefjord
Aliens - Showed up
Sandefjord - Didn’t (neither did the umps/scorer)
Match was cancelled due to Sandefjord pulling out of the comp.
We weren’t informed.
The boys were left dangling, to play with themselves.
What happens in Sandefjord, Stays in Sandefjord.
Otherwise, a pleasant, if pointless, 6-hour round-trip road trip
Vålerenga vs Aliens, T20 (Div 2) Match 2
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
When: 25th June
Where:
Vålerenga 144/8 (20)
Aliens 115/7 (20)
Vålerenga won by 29 Runs
Tons of Rock bring sunshine and party atmosphere, but Aliens fall short against Vålerenga
Ekeberg basked in glorious sunshine as Aliens faced Vålerenga. Despite the sunshine, however, this being Ekeberg 3 we still somehow had to contend with puddles in the outfield. Adding to the atmosphere this evening we also had Tons of Rock doing their best to disrupt from the stage in the background and providing us with a steady stream of festival goers crossing the field throughout the match.
Maybe it was the weather that did it, but Aliens had a squad of 12 turn up on good time, and we even had few couple of spectators to cheer us on.
Lost the toss and were put in to bowl.
For once, Aliens were on the ball from the get-go, with active and tight fielding. Exemplified by a great catch by the Tom at long on (unclear whether it was his hands or his stomach that did the trick in the end, but the team grateful for all the beers he had put away last weekend either way). He followed that up with an impressive direct hit from the same position shortly thereafter. Happy with his newfound accuracy, Tom continued to send the bails flying with throws from the field. Irrespective of whether the batsman was actually running still or already comfortably back.
Be that as it may, the combination of decent fielding and bowling was delivering for Aliens this evening. Intel ahead of the match had suggested Vålerenga struggled with spin, but seam seemed to pose just a great a challenge for them, and wickets quickly began to fall. Vålerenga were down 28-3 after just 4 overs. The pressure continued and by the end of the 11th they were 6 down for 65. Wickets for Benan (three), Pratik, Denis and two for debutant Bradley.
Stubborn resistance from Vålerenga did damage to Aliens’ fine work, however, not least flurry of sixes from Samiullah Nazakhei towards the end (including 3 sixes in the 18th), leaving us a target of 145.
Aliens’ batting started well, typified by Avra driving the very first ball to cover and by Patrik adding 12 runs in the third over. Unfortunately, the innings rather peaked with that third over. Three overs later, having added just five more runs, Aliens were three wickets down; Avra caught in the fourth and both Patrik and Dave caught in the fifth.
Benan and Milton tried to pick the pace up, but the loss of the first three had slowed things down considerably and Aliens fell behind. It was not until Denis came in that the run rate started to pick up a little again. After a number of attempted stumpings Denis’ luck eventually ran out – ironically being given out when he was in, having survived a previous stumping attempt when he actually had been out. Milton and Denis had added 22 and 24 respectively, and Simon, Tom and Damon in turn tried to keep the momentum up, but it wasn’t to be.
Brekke-Nærstad’s one over with the ball created a final opportunity to add some much needed runs to the total, with a couple of odd no balls (one of which saw Damon swinging the bat one handed with a fully stretched arm to “chase” the ball and connect to hit a four). But the damage had, unfortunately, already been done by then. While the total crept into treble figures Aliens never managed to catch up and lost the match.
Haugerud A vs Aliens, SL (Div 1) Match 3
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
When: 21st June 2025
Where: Ekeberg 1
Haugerud A 210/6 (35)
Aliens 183/9 (35)
Haugerud A won by 27 Runs
Gareth is joined by his partner and their baby on a sunny day at Ekeberg. This is an extract of their conversation.
Him: You see me bowl?
Her: Bowl?
Him: You know, like throw the ball.
Her: Oh yeah, just down here. You were very good.
Him: No, I mean on the wicket.
Her: Wicket?
Him: Pitch.
Her: Must have missed that.
Him: You saw you me bat though…
Her: Yes, well done. Was that good, what you did?
Him: Not really.
Her: Score any points?
Him: We don’t call them-
Her: Goals. Score any goals.
Him: Not really. Not many goals or points.
Her: Well, we are both proud of you.
Him: Thanks love.
Her: You ready to go?
Him: Actually, I have to stay until the end of the innings?
Her: Innings?
Him: Game. End of the game.
Her: Oh, how long will that be?
Him: I should think about another three hours or so.
Her: But you have been here since 9.
Him: Yeah, great isn’t it.
Bjørvika A Ck vs Aliens, SL (Div 1) Match 4
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
When: 29th June 2025
Where: Ekeberg 1
Bjørvika A Ck 262/9 (35)
Aliens 87/10 (23.4)
Bjørvika A Ck won by 175 Runs
On a warm afternoon in Oslo, Bjørvika A and Aliens produced a contest that was decided less by the ebb and flow of pressure than by a single, overwhelming intervention. Bjørvika’s total of 262 for 9 from their 35 overs was, by any measure, formidable. Aliens’ reply of 87 all out in 23.4 overs, less so.
The innings of Usman Arif was the difference. Arriving with Bjørvika at 153 for 6, he proceeded to alter the complexion of the match within half an hour. His 71 from just 24 deliveries, including nine sixes, was destructive and unanswerable, a contribution that lifted the side from a competitive position to one of unassailable dominance. Walid Ghauri’s earlier 66 provided the foundation, while Daniyal Iqbal and Usman Haider lent support. The innings as a whole was punctuated by brisk cameos, but it was Arif’s extraordinary acceleration that defined it.
The Aliens’ bowlers could only endure. Sushil 4 for 44 was commendable in its persistence, but the surrounding figures reflected the punishment absorbed. Even the author, who escaped with the most economical figures of the innings, with 1 for 30 from his seven overs, could only slow the tide, not turn it. He was however somewhat shocked to be subbed off after his 7 ovrs had been bowled (in the 28th over, only to eat a banana, check the football scores and look up a short time later and see 78 runs had been added in just 4 overs, and more shockling that it wasn't just another scorer pressing buttons while paying little attention to what was happening on the field of play.
In pursuit, Aliens were swiftly destabilised. Two wickets falling before the total was in double figures; thereafter, the innings never regained coherence. Only Avratanu Biswas, with 17, suggested any prospect of consolidation, while Milton Mondal’s 51-ball vigil for 13 demonstrated resolve without reward. The remainder of the batting subsided too quickly to sustain hope.
Bjørvika’s bowlers shared the task with notable efficiency. Naderi’s 3 for 20 led the way, while all of the others nabbed at least one victim. Muhammad Afzaal’s 2 for 11 from 4.4 overs underscored the extent to which their large total meant they could set attacking fields, and maintain them, a rare advantage in limited-overs cricket.
Aliens’ 26 extras (or sundries who describe the pre season trip as Too-AH), which was comfortably the top score, pretty much summed up the day.
Drammen vs Aliens, T20 (Div 2) Match 1
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
Power hitting helps Drammen to a strong first innings total.
Drammen put up a solid all-round batting performance to post 174/7 in 20 overs. Wicketkeeper Rashad Mukhtar anchored the innings with 47 off 48 balls, displaying some power hitting off the back foot.
Drammen accelerated a towards the end with Shehan Jude Thomas Nugera, who scored 27 off 12 balls, and Mohabbat Rasool, who finished unbeaten on 11 off 4 balls, pushing the score well past 170.
Oslo Aliens’ bowlers had moments of success, with Dennis Peter (2/24) and David Kuhlwilm (2/20) leading the effort and Sushil providing some pace in the opening spell. However, a couple of expensive overs from others allowed Drammen to reach a strong total.
Oslo Aliens struggle to chase down 174
Chasing 175, Oslo Aliens struggled with the required run rate. Early wickets stifled their momentum, with the top order wickets falling under pressure. Milton (16 off 25) tried to hold the innings together.
David fell to an unfortunate caught and bowled and Sindre was starting to look comfortable in the middle with 16 balls faced before being caught. A brief resistance came from Thomas, who remained unbeaten on 34 off 21. An unbeaten ninth wicket partnership of 44 allowed the Aliens to reach 128/8 falling 46 runs short.
Key Performers
Drammen:
• Rashad Mukhtar – 47 (48)
• Shehan Nugera – 27 (12)
• Atiqullah S. Dawlatzai – 10 (4) & 2 wickets
Oslo Aliens:
• Thomas Cason – 34* (21)
• Dennis Peter – 2/24
• David Kuhlwilm – 2/20
Christiania vs Aliens, SL (Div 1) Match # 1
A thrilling summary of our latest exploits
AUSTRALIAN IN BALL TAMPERING SCANDAL
An eventful start to the season in Rommen on the weekend, with Australian opening bowler Damon Crawford (2/15) being warned by the umpire against applying saliva to the ball during the Christiania innings. After a lightning-fast opening spell including 2 wickets in his 3rd over, Crawford was warned in the field just before the imminent offence, and the call of "same old Aussies, always cheating" could be heard from the direction of Thomas Townsend's house.
The Christiania middle order began to settle, but Aliens captain Dennis stepped up in the middle overs taking 4/17, and Christiania tumbled to all out for 129 from 27 overs. Other wickets shared between Tom (2/41), Dave (1/30) and Benan (1/21).
The bowlers were helped out by some long grass in the outfield and some top fielding, including 2 catches by Avra.
The chase got off to a less than stellar start, with 2 golden ducks in the first over leaving the boys in blue at 2/1. Thankfully Damon and Pratik then put on 71 before Pratik fell LBW for 36, and Dave was in and then out in the same manner for 1, and Andrew Kirby kicking off his aliens career with a couple of nice shots before he got a bit too much onto a straight chip and was caught at long on. Dennis had a strong cameo of 21 before holing out, and when Damon fell in the nervous 40s the pressure began to rise as the tail was at risk of being exposed.
Fortunately, the steady hands of Simon (7*) and Marcus (5*) moved the total forward, and by the time Marcus played an unorthodox reverse leg glance through fine gully for 3 the game was all but over. A good win for Aliens, even if a bit stressful towards the end.