Wednesday 24 / April / 2024
Muscat: Captain Vaibhav Wategaonkar led from the front with a vital 77, his second successive half century, Ayaan Khan slammed an entertaining 64 and Rajesh Ranpura took four wickets, as Muscat CT registered another thrilling win, this time against defending champion Assarain, in a Premier Division game at Ministry of Sports Ground I in Al Amerat on Friday.
After bowling Assarain out for 257 in 50 overs, Muscat suffered two early setback before a 73-run partnership between opener Swapnil Khadye (42) and Vaibhav (77) put their run chase back on track. Rookie Ayaan Khan led the rest of the chase with aplomb as Vaibhav had to retire hurt at 168 for four in 37.4 overs.
With Jatinder Singh falling for just 20, Muscat relied on a 43-run fifth-wicket partnership between, Ayaan and Sandeep Goud to inch closer to victory, which was finally achieved in the 49th over with Ayaan unbeaten at 64 off 59 balls.
Zeeshan Maqsood bagged two wickets for 57 runs in his quota of 10 overs.
Assarain’s star bowling quartet Kaleemullah, Nadeem Iqbal, Shiju Shayalajakumar and Sindo Michael all had a poor game as none of them was able to leave an impression on the game.
Earlier, Assarain looked set for another imposing total thanks to a responsible knock of 77 by Shahan Akram and an explosive 50 off 22 balls by hard-hitting Naseem Khushi before Runpura’s death overs spell, in which he took three quick wickets including that of Khushi, took the life out of their charge.
Runpura returned with four wickets for 55 runs as Assarain were bowled out for 257 in 50 overs. Gustav Burger (37), Ramkumar Pandarathil (36) and Zeeshan Maqsood (27) were the other notable scorers. Jatinder Singh bowled well to take two for 21 while Munis Ansari bagged two for 50.
Brief scores: Assarain 257 all out in 50 overs (Shahan Akram 77, Naseem Khushi 50, Gustav Burger 37, Ramkumar Pandarathil 36, Zeeshan Maqsood 27; Rajesh Ranpura 4/55, Jatinder Singh 2/21, Munis Ansari 2/50) lost to Muscat CT 261 for 5 in 48.2 overs (Vaibhav Wategaonkar 77, Ayaan Khan 64, Swapnil Khadye 42, Sandeep Goud 28; Zeshan Maqsood 2/57).
Sarco sink White Lotus
All-rounders Rakesh Patel and Ajay Menon played key roles in Sarco’s 37-run victory against White Lotus in a B Division match at Muscat Municipality Ground II in Al Amerat.
Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Sarco scored 246 for nine in 30 overs with Ajay Menon (54 off 27), Tosim Khan (52 off 42) and Rakesh Patel (43 off 31) being the leading scorers. Davinder Kumar bowled well to claim four wickets for 37 while Nazish Mohammed took two for 62.
White Lotus got a 55-run opening stand in just 5.4 overs and were very well placed at 174 for four in the 21st over before a mini collapse derailed their run chase. They were finally all out for 209 in 28.2 overs. Tushar Verma (46 off 34), Homeshwar Ratre (39 off 27) and Shuaib Ismael (35 off 30) were the notable scorers. Rakesh Patel led the bowling honours for Sarco with three for 42. He was well supported by Jeethesha Shridhara (2 for29), Pradeep Kumar (2 for 32) and Zahid Hafiz (2 for 40).
Brief scores: Sarco 246 for 9 in 30 overs (Ajay Menon 54, Tosim Khan 52 , Rakesh Patel 43; Davinder Kumar 4/37, Nazish Mohammed 2/62) bt White Lotus 209 all out in 28.2 overs (Tushar Verma 46, Homeshwar Ratre 39, Shuaib Ismael 35; Rakesh Patel 3/42, Jeethesha Sridhara 2/29, Pradeep Kumar 2/32, Zahid Hafiz 2/40).
PSD too good for MCCC New
Platinum Services Diamond (PSD) thrashed MCCC New by seven wickets in another B Division game at Muscat Municipality Ground I.
PSD skittled MCCC New out for just 80 in 20.1 overs and then chased down the small total in just nine overs, scoring 81 for three. Chadith Lakmal, Masud Pervez and Aftab Ahmed all claimed two wickets each.
Sarco’s Mahbub Alam top-scored with an unbeaten 26.
Brief scores: MCCC New 80 all out in 20.1 overs (Saifullah 22; Chadith Lakmal 2/5, Masud Pervez 2/6, Aftab Ahmed 2/27) lost to Platinum Services Diamond 81 for 3 in 9 overs (Mahbub Alam 26).
Ismael, Suhaib lift OCT Al Hail A
A superb 102 by Ismael Ghulam, who was involved in a 162-run partnership with fellow opener Waleed Rahim, helped OCT Al Hail A register an 88-run victory against OCT Amerat in a C Division game at Muscat Municipality Ground I.
OCT Al Hail A made full use of the opportunity to bat first and put a big total on the board. Ismael was particularly harsh on OCT Amerat bowlers, hitting 16 fours and two sixes in his 59-ball innings. Waleed played equally well for his 62 in his team’s total of 214 for four in 20 overs. Nathar Al Balushi took two wickets for 38.
OCT Amerat never looked like chasing down the big total despite Samir Mohammed Al Balushi’s fluent 54 off 38 balls, including two huge sixes, and were restricted to just 126 for eight in 20 overs. Suhaib Al Balushi bowled extremely well to claim five wickets for 22 runs.
Brief scores: OCT Al Hail A 214 for 4 in 20 overs (Ismael Ghulam 102, Waleed Rahim 62; Nathar Al Balushi 2/38) bt OCT Amerat 126 for 8 in 20 overs (Samir Al Balushi 54, Nathar Al Balushi 20; Suhaib Al Balushi 5/22).
Douglas OHI win
Douglas OHI were too strong for MCCC A, winning their E Division match by nine wickets at Muscat Municipality Ground III.
Batting first after winning the toss, MCCC A were bowled out for 96 in 19.5 overs with only Ashik Sony playing well for his run a ball 25. OHI Captain Viplav Kumar Palai claimed two wickets for 15 runs.
Douglas OHI raced to the target in just 7.5 overs, scoring 100 for one, thanks to an unbeaten 46 off 23 balls by Santosh Vishwakarma. Ramsheela Prasad remained not out on 20.
Brief scores: MCCC A 96 all out in 19.5 overs (Ashik Sony 25; Viplav Kumar Palai 2/15) lost to Douglas OHI 100 for 1 in 7.5 overs (Santosh Vishwakarma 46, Ramsheela Prasad 20).
