A four-wicket haul from Eesa Nadeem helped Warwickshire Second XI to a five wicket win in the opening game of the T20 Central Group against Gloucestershire.
Nadeem was in inspired form at Edgbaston Community Sports Ground, taking four for 16 from 2.5 overs as Gloucestershire were bowled out for 149, before the Bears reached the total five down to get their season off to the perfect start.
Having won the toss, Gloucestershire elected to bat first, however their progress was halted with the hosts taking wickets at regular intervals.
Dawid Malan, playing for Gloucestershire after signing from Yorkshire in the off-season, made 18 from 11 balls before retiring, with only Daaryoush Ahmed (21) and Aman Rao (28) able to provide ample resistance from a disciplined bowling display from Warwickshire.
Nadeem was supported by Taz Ali who claimed three for 28 from his four over spell, with Nathan Gilchrist (1-40) and William Rogers (1-17) the other wicket takers for the Bears.
In reply, Kai Smith (10), Arjun Nahal (14), Hamza Shaikh (18) and Vansh Jani (15) all made starts as they reached 76 for four before Theo Wylie and Oliver Dandy came to the crease.
A partnership of 61 between the pair saw Wylie smash 46 from 29 balls in an innings that included six fours and one six, while an unbeaten 23 from Dandy helped the Bears to their target with ten balls remaining.
The Second XI will hope to record back-to-back wins in the competition when they travel to Glamorgan on Thursday 14 May, with play set to begin at 11:30am at Newport Cricket Club.