Saturday 20 / April / 2024
Muscat: Aaqib Javed and Wasim Ismail Al Balushi took five wickets each to power Muscat Projects and Environment to an emphatic 49-run victory against National Youth Development Team (NYDT) in a Khimji Ramdas-sponsored A Division match at the Ministry of Sports Affairs Ground II in Al Amerat on Friday.
Fast bowlers had a field day as wickets tumbled every now and then in what was a low-scoring, high-octane game, testing not only the batsmen’s technique but their ability and resolve to stand on their feet and fight for their, and their team’s, survival.
Muscat Projects, who won the toss and elected to bat first, were all out 116 in 30 overs. Openers Praveen Das (30) and Jason Delboy (20) gave the team a decent opening stand of 44 but then the disaster struck as Muscat Projects slumped to 98 for eight and finally folded up for 116.
NYDT pacers Mohammed Mohsin, Obaidullah and Abdul Malik caused much of the early damage but it was Hetham Bahar Ali who took four wickets to dash Muscat Projects’ hopes of revival.
Facing a small target, NYDT could last only 16 overs, getting bundled out for a meagre 67 that included 20 extras. No batsman, except captain Lakshan Madushanka (20), could even score in double figures against fast, swinging deliveries of Aaqib and Wasim who took five wickets each in straight 16 overs without change.
Brief scores: Muscat Projects and Environment 116 all out in 30 overs (Praveen Das 30, Jason Delboy 20; Hetham Bahar Ali 4/28, Mohammed Mohsin 3/26, Obaidullah 2/37, Abdul Malik 1/19) bt NYDT 67 all out in 16 overs (Lakshan Madushanka 20; AaqibJaved 5/32, Wasim Ismail Al Balushi 5/32).
EY defeat MCS
Ernst and Young (EY) finally ended their losing streak, defeating Muscat Cricket Sports (MCS) by three wickets in an Al Ansari Group-sponsored B Division at Muscat Municipality Ground II in Al Amerat.
Batting first, MCS were struggling at 60 for four before Mohsin Nazir came to their rescue with a steely 62 off 53 balls, helping the team to reach 191 for eight in the stipulated 30 overs. Ahmed Khan (38), Abrar Hussain (25) and Ovais Karim (22 not out) were the other notable scorers. Pankaj Gupta and VishakJ ayakumar bagged four wickets each.
EY too found themsevles in trouble, losing four wickets at 78 but a stubborn unbeten 43 by Mohammed Nayaz helped the team to register their first win of the season with 27 deliveries to spare. Vikram Verma (39) and Kiran Joshi (37) batted well too. Ovais Karim took three wickets for MCS.
Brief scores: MCS 191 for 8 in 30 overs (Mohsin Nazir 62, Ahmed Khan 38, Abrar Hussain 25; Pankaj Gupta 4/25, Vishak Jayakumar 4/36) lost to EY 192 for 7 in 25.3 overs (Mohammed Nayaz 43 n.o., Vikram Verma 39, Kiran Joshi 37; Ovais Karim 3/44).
Sufyan stars for OCT Seeb
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Star Omani all-rounder Sufyan Mahmood led OCT Seeb to a nine-wicket win over Attic Outdoors in a Raha Poly Products-sponsored C Division clash at Muscat Municipality Ground I on Friday.
Attic Outdoors’ innings was devoid of any momentum and authority as they could manage only 118 for seven in 20 overs. Mohsin Raza (33), Madhur Bhatnagar (27) and Mujtaba Ahmed (22) were the notable scorers. Sameer Al Balushi, Sufyan Mahmood and Yusuf Al Balushi claimed two wickets apiece.
OCT Seeb raced to the target in just in just 9.3 overs, thanks to a swashbuckling 64 not out off 30 balls by Sufyan and 35 off 22 by his opening partner Issa Al Balushi.
Brief scores: Attic Outdoors 118 for 7 in 20 overs (Mohsin Raza 33, Madhur Bhatnagar 27, Mujtaba Ahmed 22; Sameer Al Balushi 2/6, Sufyan Mahmood 2/12, Yusuf Al Balushi 2/23) lost to OCT Seeb 119 for 1 in 9.3 overs (Sufyan Mahmood 64 n.o., Issa Al Balushi 35).
Geetha inspires ISC eves
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A superb unbeaten half century by Geetha Jagdish helped Indian Social Club (ISC) to a 28-run victory over Indian School Al Wadi Al Kabir (ISWK) in a 20-over Women’s League match at Ministry of Sports Afairs Ground II in Al Amerat.
Batting first, ISC women scored 163 for six in 20 overs, Geetha (53 not out) and Caroline Pinto (22) being the notable scorers. Jayadhanya Gunasekar and Rajesh Shajina bagged two wickets each.
ISWK looked good initially but slowed down later to lose the game by 28 runs. Rajesh Shajina (42) and Akshadha Gunasekar (38) were involved in an 80-run partnership for the second wicket but got out in quick succession to derail their team’s chase.
Brief scores: ISC Women 163 for 6 in 20 overs (Geetha Jagdish 53 n.o., Caroline Pinto 22; Jayadhanya Gunasekar 2/12, Rajesh Shajina 2/30) bt ISWK 135 for 4 in 20 overs (Rajesh Shajina 42, Akshadha Gunasekar 38).
