Oman Cricket: Awesome Assarain complete unique double

Sports Sunday 12/March/2017 18:40 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman Cricket: Awesome Assarain complete unique double

Muscat: Assarain defeated Sinha by a massive 212-run margin in the Oman Cricket Premier Division during the last weekend to complete an unique double in the history of the Sultanate’s cricket.
The victory, achieved with a game in hand, assured Assarain the Premier Division 50-over crown. Add to that the Premier Division T20 top honours they won recently and Assarain are now the first team to win both the Premier Division titles since the two simultaneous competitions were introduced by Oman Cricket.
And how did the awesome Assarain achieve that result! With a record innings total coming as an icing on the cake in their huge win over Sinha.
Batting first and playing true to their form, Assarain piled up 401 runs for the loss of six wickets in 50 overs, the highest total since Oman Cricket started hosting matches on turf wickets.
That huge total was built on some swashbuckling knocks from internationals and team’s star players Mohammed Nadeem and Zeeshan Maqsood, both of whom went on to complete centuries, the former top scoring with 112 and the latter smashing 103.
That was after Sami-ur Rahman (64) and Arun Poulose (51) provided the momentum with a 90-run opening-wicket partnership. Later, Naseem Khushi hit an unbeaten 42 off just 20 balls.
In reply, Sinha survived 37.4 overs scoring 189 runs. Sindo Michael claimed four wickets to seal the bonus point win for Assarain.
‘Great feeling’
Assarain, who were unbeaten when they lifted the T20 title, have lost just one of the 11 games they played in the 50-over Premier Division competition, winning nine and drawing one. Their 12th and final match against Raha to be played March 31 will now be more of a celebration of their double success.
Assarain team manager Vinu Mathew described the twin success as a ‘great achievement’.
Speaking to Times Sport, Vinu Mathew said: “It’s a great feeling. We have won the two titles! It’s happened for the first time in Oman cricket. It's a great achievement.”
While hailing the entire team for the success, he said: “We are very proud of this team. They have been very consistent throughout the season and they played great cricket. I would like to thank our management for their support to the team.”
Brief scores: Assarain 401 for 6 in 50 overs (Mohammed Nadeem 112, Zeeshan Maqsood 103) bt Sinha 189 in 37.4 overs (Sindo Michael 4/46). Points: Assarain – 5, Sinha – 0.
Al Turki beat Muscat CT
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In another Premier Division match, Al Turki recorded a seven-wicket win over Muscat CT.
Batting first, Muscat CT were all out for 171 in 48.3 overs. Sudeep Chavan top scored with 40. Rohit Malik claimed four wickets for Al Turki. In reply, Al Turki scored 174 for three in 42.1 overs. Twinkal Bhandari top scored with an unbeaten 64.
Brief scores: Muscat CT 171 in 48 overs (Sudeep Chavan 40; Rohit Malik 4/29) lost to Al Turki 174/3 in 42.1 overs (Twinkal Bhandari 64 n.o). Points: Muscat CT – 0, Al Turki – 4.
MDC Enhance Eagles win
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Meanwhile, in an A Division match, MDC Enhance Eagles defeated Ooredoo by 11 runs.
Batting first, MDC Enhance Eagles scored 124 in 19 overs. Sunil Baby and Vinod Venu claimed three wickets for Ooredoo. In reply, Ooredoo were bowled out for 113 in 19.3 overs. Vineet top scored with 57. Jaison Manjila claimed three wickets for MDC Enhance Eagles.
Brief scores: MDC Enhance Eagles 124 in 19 overs (Sunil Baby 3/22) bt Ooredoo 113 in 19.3 overs (Vineet 54; Jaison 3/10). Points: MDC Enhance Eagles – 4, Ooredoo – 0
OCT Muscat beat OUA Travel
In another A Division match, OCT Muscat defeated OUA Travel by 115 runs. Batting first, OCT Muscat scored 187 for seven in 20 overs with Shuaib Al Balushi top scoring with 84. Syed Kazimi claimed three wickets for OUA Travel. In reply, OUA Travel were bowled out for 73 in 16.3 overs. Mohammed Ali claimed three wickets.
Brief scores: OCT Muscat 187 for 7 in 20 overs (Shuaib Al Balushi 84; Syed Kazimi 3/7) bt OUA Travel 73 in 16.3 overs (Mohammed Ali 3/7). Points: OCT Muscat – 5, OUA Travel – 0.
ISC defeat White Lotus
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Meanwhile, Indian Social Club (ISC) defeated White Lotus by 24 runs in another A Division match.
Batting first, ISC scored 162 for four in 20 overs. Robin Barmeda top scored with 60. In reply, White Lotus were all out for 138 in 19.5 overs. Puneet Singh claimed four wickets for ISC.
Brief scores: ISC 162 for 4 in 20 overs (Robin Barmeda 60) bt White Lotus 138 in 19.5 overs (Puneet Singh 4/5). Points: ISC – 4, White Lotus – 0.
Second win for OCT Muscat
OCT Muscat, meanwhile, won their second match of the weekend when they defeated Renaissance by 23 runs in the A Division.
Batting first, OCT Muscat scored 143 for seven in 20 overs with Mohammed Al Balushi top scored with 55. In reply, Renaissance scored 120 for eight in 20 overs. Wasim Ali claimed three wickets.
Brief scores: OCT Muscat 143 for 7 in 20 overs (Mohammed Al Balushi 55) bt Renaissance 120/8 in 20 overs (Wasim Ali 3/35). Points: OCT Muscat – 4; Renaissance - 0.