Grace's Cricket Club started their 2007 season with an away fixture against a strong Indian Gymkhana side, who on winning the toss elected to bat with the sun shining and the wicket looking full of runs. However the Indians' openers found Shofiq in his usual miserly mood. Using his pace and considerable swing with the new ball, his first spell of four overs went for only seven runs but no other bowler was able to exert such control until Ahkter came on to bowl and with the score at 65, claimed the first wicket, thanks to a very smart stumping by wicket-keeper Stockinger.
With two of the home side passing 50, Grace's did well to restrict the Indians to 211-6, including a second smart stumping by the keeper. The bowlers stuck to their task as the home side attacked in the latter stages of their innings. Ahkter finishing with 1-17 from his eight overs, Shofiq 2-34, Bielby 2-42 and debutante Aussie all-rounder Shorrocks 1-39.
In reply the Grace's innings got off to a slow start and never reached the run rate required. With only Whitmore with 36, Shofiq with 24 and Ahkter 14 not out able to score at a run a ball Grace's were dismissed for 142 in the 35th over, losing by 69 runs.