The villagers confirmed this week that the Pakistan all-rounder will not have his contract renewed after four years of fine service at The Lawn.

Ahmed, who has made two centuries this season, against Cliftonville and Lisburn, joined the club from Belfast Harlequins in 2005, and played a key role in two title triumphs.

A reliable off-spinner as well as a prolific batsman, it’s unlikely that Ahmed will be without offers for 2009. The former Pakistan international has already indicated his preference to remain in Northern Ireland.

September might be a new month, but already the dark cloud of the dreary Ulster weather hangs over all today’s NCU’s fixtures.

It is a pivotal weekend, particularly at the bottom of the table, with Derriaghy and Cliftonville due to meet at Queensway.

Defeat would all but end Cliftonville’s slim hopes of remaining in the top flight, while Derriaghy too desperately require a victory. But with the torrential rain yesterday and a poor forecast today, the odds are against any games being completed for the fourth time in the last five weeks.

CI, who along with Carrickfergus are still fearing for their Premier League future, have a slim chance of getting anything against Waringstown today at The Lawn or tomorrow at Belmont.

Waringstown will be at full strength with their Irish commitments at an end and looking to improve on a disappointing campaign.

At the top of the table, even two of the NCU’s drier grounds, Stormont and The Green, are unlikely to host matches today.

Civil Service North, who jointly lead the table, are due to host Instonians today and Lisburn tomorrow. If the weather relents, North Down will almost certainly account for Carrickfergus today before travelling to Queensway tomorrow.

Fixtures:

Today

NCU Premier League (11.30am). CSNI v Instonians, Derriaghy v Cliftonville, Lisburn v Bangor (Upritchard Park), North Down v Carrickfergus, Waringstown v CIYMS.

Section 2, Armagh v Saintfield, Lurgan v Woodvale, Downpatrick v Dundrum, Muckamore v Holywood, Laurelvale v Ballymena.

Section 3: Donacloney v Millpark, Dungannon v Academy at Newforge, Larne v Cooke Collegians, Cregagh v BISC, Dunmurry v Templepatrick, Section 4: Drumaness v Ards.

Henderson Property Group North West Senior One: Glendermott v Bready

Senior Two: Killyclooney v St Johnston, Sion Mills v The Nedd, Burndennett v Drummond, Bonds Glen v Creevedonnell, North Fermanagh v Coleraine.

Sunday

NCU Premier League: Derriaghy v North Down, CIYMS v Waringstown, CSN v Lisburn.

Section 2: Dundrum v Laurelvale at Saintfield, Armagh v Holywood, Woodvale v Muckamore, Downpatrick v Saintfield.

Section 3: Dunmurry v Cooke Collegians, Academy v Larne, Millpark v Dungannon. North West Senior One: Brigade v Ardmore.