Captain Freddie Khan has called on high-scoring Huntingdon & District star Khaqan Arsal to deliver more heroics as they bid to clinch a second successive promotion.

Khan’s men jumped back into second spot in Tucker Gardner League Division Two after Arsal, who has played more than 100 first-class games in his native Pakistan, clubbed a mighty 147 in a 140-run triumph over struggling Weston Colville last weekend.

More than 100 of Arsal’s runs arrived in boundaries as he cracked 20 fours and four sixes while Navid Ahmed added a useful 73 as Huntingdon & District reached 270-7 before removing the visitors for 130.

They are involved in a thrilling promotion race with three local sides covered by just three points with two matches to go. Travel to another of those teams – fourth-placed Kimbolton – this Saturday.

Captain Khan said: “It was a fine innings from Khaqan, who is a very classy player.

“He has played to a high level in Pakistan and he is capable of scoring a lot of runs.

“Hopefully he can come up with couple more big knocks as we try to get over the line for promotion.

“It is a big game at Kimbolton and one that neither team can afford to lose. I think both clubs have done very well to be in a position to challenge for promotion in their first seasons back at this level.”

Kimbolton had a centurion of their own as they blitzed relegation battlers Abington by nine wickets last weekend.

Skipper James Biddle struck an unbeaten 132 – his best-ever score for the village club – and Martin Burton was not out on 63 as they piled up 253-1 before Chris Gilthorpe grabbed five wickets as the visitors were dismissed for just 82.

Huntingdon & District and Kimbolton are split by St Ives in the standings after they had to settle for a draw against champions Eaton Socon.

Overseas ace Benji Thomas followed up an unbeaten 87 as St Ives posted 204-6 with 3-22, but the title-winners stood firm on 168-8 in reply.

Kevin Sequenza also claimed three victims (3-37) while two Eaton Socon men hit half-centuries.

Fifteen year-old Dan Wood reached that milestone for the first time at Tucker Gardner League level with an unbeaten 54 while South African star Mickey Hay added another 50 to his collection of fine knocks in his debut English summer.

Blunham and Fordham also remain in the thick of the promotion race.