North Kildare take third after mixed but competitive campaign

North Kildare finished third in the Leinster First Team League after a season that underlined both their potential and their inconsistency.

Seven wins and eight defeats told the story of a side capable of competing strongly on their day, but unable to string enough results together to mount a sustained challenge to the leading teams.

The batting was headed by Yash Kalasannavar, who enjoyed an outstanding campaign with 652 runs at an average of 46.57. He struck two centuries and five half-centuries, with an unbeaten 136 his highest score, and was comfortably North Kildare’s most productive batter.

Moize Haider provided strong support with 554 runs at 32.59, passing fifty four times and finishing with a best of 95.

Behind that pair, however, the returns dropped away significantly. Asadullah Ahmadzai was next with 254 runs, while Josh Uddin made 228 and Abdul Aryan 222. Yashraj Mate and Adnan Ahmadzai also passed 180, but North Kildare would have wanted more consistent contributions from the middle order.

The bowling was led by Nazmus Monon, who claimed 27 wickets at 20.78 and was comfortably the club’s leading wicket-taker. Nurulain Boda took 16 wickets but found them expensive at 38.63, while Nicholas Hunter made a significant impact in a smaller workload, taking 12 wickets at 18.42, including an excellent five for 15.

Akhilesh Sharma also claimed 12 wickets, with Adnan Ahmadzai taking 11 and Josh Uddin nine.

The figures point to a side with enough options but perhaps without the sustained penetration to dominate opponents regularly. That, combined with an over-reliance on Kalasannavar and Haider for substantial runs, probably explains why North Kildare finished in the middle ground between the title contenders and the struggling sides.

Third place was nevertheless a decent return and offers a solid platform for 2027. If they can add greater consistency through the middle order and another reliable wicket-taking option, North Kildare should be well placed to push closer to the top next season.

NORTH KILDARE – TOP 10 BATTERS

1. Yash Kalasannavar – 652 runs, average 46.57, HS 136*, 2 hundreds, 5 fifties  
2. Moize Haider – 554 runs, average 32.59, HS 95, 4 fifties  
3. Asadullah Ahmadzai – 254 runs, average 21.17, HS 79, 1 fifty  
4. Josh Uddin – 228 runs, average 19.00, HS 45  
5. Abdul Aryan – 222 runs, average 17.08, HS 57, 1 fifty  
6. Yashraj Mate – 212 runs, average 19.27, HS 67, 1 fifty  
7. Adnan Ahmadzai – 188 runs, average 15.67, HS 67, 1 fifty  
8. Ankit Pareek – 151 runs, average 16.78, HS 31  
9. Nicholas Hunter – 141 runs, average 14.10, HS 46*  
10. Nurulain Boda – 140 runs, average 12.73, HS 37  

NORTH KILDARE – TOP 10 BOWLERS

1. Nazmus Monon – 27 wickets, average 20.78, BBI 4-35  
2. Nurulain Boda – 16 wickets, average 38.63, BBI 3-38  
3. Nicholas Hunter – 12 wickets, average 18.42, BBI 5-15  
4. Akhilesh Sharma – 12 wickets, average 25.33, BBI 2-19  
5. Adnan Ahmadzai – 11 wickets, average 24.82, BBI 4-33  
6. Josh Uddin – 9 wickets, average 21.00, BBI 3-14  
7. Asadullah Ahmadzai – 9 wickets, average 39.44, BBI 2-45  
8. Abdul Aryan – 9 wickets, average 39.67, BBI 3-44  
9. Ali Elahi – 4 wickets, average 73.75, BBI 2-43  
10. Ganesh Sharma – 3 wickets, average 44.67, BBI 1-19