Warwickshire Second XI fell to a first defeat of their T20 Central Group campaign, losing by seven wickets to Northamptonshire at Stowe School in Buckinghamshire on Monday 1 June.
Northants won the toss and elected to bowl first in a game between the two form sides in the Central Group table, with both teams having spent time in top spot so far this season.
After Warwickshire lost opening batsman Vansh Jani to his first delivery, MO Khan (21 off 19 balls) and Hamza Shaikh (35 off 30) put on 44 for the second wicket.
From that point, Northants continued to take wickets at regular intervals, reducing the Bears to 104 for seven, before a late flurry from Arjun Nahal, who top-scored with 38 off 29 balls, boosted Warwickshire’s total to 139 for eight from their 20 overs.
Michael Booth struck in the first over of Northants’ reply which brought Saif Zaib to the crease, and his innings took the game away from the Bears. Zaib struck an unbeaten 76 off 47 balls, in an innings that included 11 fours and one six, as Northants reached the total three wickets down.
Booth, Nathan Gilchrist and Eddie Miller took a wicket apiece for the Bears, while Taz Ali, despite going wicketless, was the pick of the bowlers after bowling four overs for 21 runs.
The result sees Northants move above Warwickshire at the top of the Central Group table, just two points ahead of the Bears.
The Second XI return to action today (Tuesday 2 June) against Worcestershire at Bromsgrove School, starting at 1:00pm.