Cricket: Lalcheta helps Al Turki stun Muscat CT

Sports Sunday 10/December/2017 16:39 PM
By: Times News Service
Cricket: Lalcheta helps Al Turki stun Muscat CT

Muscat: When Ajay Lalcheta performs well Al Turki NMC invariably wins ... even if the opponents are mighty Muscat CT. Muscat Pharmacy-sponsored Premier Division dished out another thriller on Friday as Al Turki upset Muscat by three wickets with Ajay playing a key role at the Ministry of Sports Affairs Ground I in Al Amerat.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Al Turki struck early blows, reducing Muscat CT to 71 for five before fighting knocks by Jatinder Singh (46 off 66), Ashish Odedara (40 off 64) and Rajeshkumar Ranpura (53 off 68) steered Muscat to a respectable 213 for nine in 50 overs.
Opener Aaqib Ilyas contributed 39 off 48. Adnan-ul Haq, Jay Odedara, Rohit Malik and Ajay all took two wickets each.
In reply, Al Turki tumbled to 90 for four in the 27th over as Muscat exerted pressure by taking early wickets. However, Ajay led the recovery with a fighting 41 off 57, getting good support from Jayam Sunil Singh (38 off 45). Nashir Ali (16 not out) and Adnan-ul Haq (six not out) made sure the victory was achieved on the first ball of the final over after Ajay and Jayam fell in quick succession. Opener Twinkle Bhadari batted well too, scoring 41 off 73.
Brief scores: Muscat CT 213 for 9 in 50 overs (Rajeshkumar Ranpura 53, Jatinder Singh 46, Ashish Odedara 40, Aaqib Ilyas 39; Adnan-ul Haq 2/27, Jay Odedara 2/32, Rohit Malik 2/39, Ajay Lalcheta 2/68) lost to Al Turki NMC 217 for 7 in 49.1 overs (Ajay Lalcheta 41, Twinkle Bhandari 41, Jayam Sunil Singh 38; Munis Ansari 2/32, Rajeshkumar Ranpura 2/40).
Jibran, Waseem lift IT Works
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Jibran Yousuf (83 not out) and Waseem Akhtar (69 not out) forged a 158-run partnership for the third wicket to lift IT Works to a memorable eight-wicket victory against Muscat Projects and Environment in an A Division match at Ministry of Sports Affairs Ground II on Friday.
Batting first, Muscat Projects were dismissed for 182 in 46th over. Melwin Mathew (42 off 71) and Sajeev Thamarath (38 off 49) were the leading scorers. Mehtab Hussain and Irfan Khalid claimed three wickets each for IT Works.
In reply, IT Works raced to their target in only just 29.5 overs, scoring 185 for two thanks to brilliant batting by Jibran and Waseem.
Brief scores: Muscat Projects and Environment 182 all out in 45.1 overs (Melwin Mathew 42, Sajeev Thamarath 38; Mehtab Hussain 3/45, Irfan Khalid 3/45, Ihtesham Muhammed 2/25) lost to IT Works 185 for 2 in 29.5 overs (Jibran Yousuf 82 n.o., Waseem Akhtar 69 n.o.; Aaqib Javed 2/36).
NYDT shock Enhance Eagles
Solid batting by captain Lakshan Madushanka (74 off 82) and Ubaidullah Khan (66 off 92) and brilliant bowling by Syed Taha Hassan (four for 56) powered National Youth Deevelopment Team (NYDT) to a 74-run win over fancied MDC Enhance Eagles in another A Division game on Saturday.
Opting to bat first, NYDT piled up 253 for nine in 50 overs thanks to superb batting by Lakshan and Obaid. Experienced Guru Prasanna revived old magic, taking four wickets while captain Jason Manjila bagged three vital wickets for the Eagles.
NYDT then bowled exceptionally well to dismiss seasoned Eagles’ batting line-up for just 179 in the 42nd over. Pradeep Kumar (32 off 44) and Omkar Pramod (31 off 45) were the main scorers. Apart from Taha’s great spell, Adil Abbas Ali and Jakir Hussain bowled well too, to claim two wickets each.
Brief scores: NYDT 253 for 9 in 50 overs (Lakshan Madushanka 74, Obaidullah 66; Guru Prasanna 4/49, Jason Manjila 3/33) bt MDC Enhance Eagles 179 all out in 41.1 overs (Pradeep Kumar 32, Omkar Pramod 31; Syed Taha Hassan 4/56, Adil Abbas Ali 2/14, Jakir Hussain 2/33).