Wanstead spinner Rehan Hassan, who changed the game when he took 6-40 against Ardleigh Green

Wanstead captain Arfan Akram insists his men are relishing the “great challenge” they face in their biggest weekend of their season so far.

Ardleigh Green 152 all out lost to Wanstead and Snaresbrook 153-3 by seven wickets

Wanstead captain Arfan Akram insists his men are relishing the “great challenge” they face in their biggest weekend of their season so far.

The Shepherd Neame Premier Division leaders hope to boost their title hopes when they visit fourth-placed Brentwood on Saturday.

Wanstead then entertain Bridgwater on Sunday in the quarter-finals of the ECB National Cup as they seek glory on two fronts.

And their skipper believes his team-mates are ready to show what they are made of.

Akram said: “It’s a big weekend coming up and we’re really looking forward to it.

“We’re excited at the club and ready for the challenge.

“We want to show what we’re capable of in the big games.

“Our confidence is high and we’re feeling good about the cricket we’re playing.”

Wanstead cemented their position at the top of the league table on Saturday with a comfortable victory over struggling Ardleigh Green.

After winning the toss, the visitors put Green in to bat first and initially looked to be struggling as opener Thomas Oakley set himself up for a total of 74 runs.

But he was eventually bowled by Rehan Hassan, who completely changed the face of the game by taking six wickets for just 40 runs as the hosts faltered on 152 after 48.2 overs.

Wanstead then reached 153-3 from 37.3 overs in reply with opener John Chambers hitting 57 not out and Akram adding 42 runs.

But Akram denied that the victory was as effortless as it looked on paper.

He said: “I wouldn’t say the game looked comfortable when the opposition were 120-2.

“But then leg-spinner Rehan Hassan took six wickets for 40 runs and that put us firmly in the diving seat.

“When we got them all out for 152 we certainly felt more comfortable, but we had to work hard for the win.”

Wanstead hold a 12-point lead over nearest rivals Chelmsford, who sit 41 points ahead of Buckhurst Hill and Brentwood.

But Akram insists the league title is not just a two-horse race and that being top adds no further pressure on his side.

He said: “There are some big points still available so other teams can come into it.

“The main thing for us is that we retain our focus.

“Being top makes no difference in terms of pressure.

“Our target has always been to challenge for the league title.”

And Akram insists that his men are not distracted by the thought of making further progress in the National Cup.

He said: “Our cup success has not been a distraction at all.

“We just look at this is a massive opportunity.

“We try to win every tournament that we enter and that includes the cup competitions.

“We’re lucky in that we have a big, strong squad that allows us to compete for every trophy.

“We don’t know much about Bridgwater, so it’s difficult to make a comparison with our side.

“But we’re expecting a tough game because it’s the National Cup quarter-finals.”

* Wanstead’s under-13s will play in the National Finals next week after beating Teddington by 41 runs.