Oman Cricket: Crazy Challengers lift Junior Cup

Sports Tuesday 03/April/2018 16:06 PM
By: Times News Service
Oman Cricket: Crazy Challengers lift Junior Cup

Muscat: Spurred by Shaikh Akbar Gafar’s hurricane 52 off 23 balls and Sajith Chenganassery’s all-round exploits, FHD Crazy Challengers overcame a fighting Muscat Masters to steal a four-wicket win in the T20 Junior Cup Knockout final at the Muscat Municipality Ground III in Al Amerat.
Batting first, Masters posted a sizeable 174 for five in 20 overs thanks to a stylish 69 off 50 by young Gaurav Honavar. Narendra Vandaria was the other notable scorer with 35 off 22.
For the Challengers, Gopakumar Gopal took two wickets for 40 runs.
Challengers got off to a brisk start and were happily placed at 99 for two in 7.5 overs before three quick wickets slowed things down. The Challengers, however, overhauled the target in 18.1 overs, scoring 178 for six. Apart from Gafar’s superb knock, opener Praveen Kumar scored a whirlwind 42 off 19.
**media[851711]**
However, it was Sajith Chenganassery who saw the Challengers home with an unbeaten 49 off 33. Bhavin Sampat bagged two wickets but conceded a whopping 48 runs in his four overs.
Sajith was declared man of the match.
Later, chief guest and Oman Cricket board member Pankaj Khimji presented the winners trophy to the Challengers’ captain Praveen Kumar.
Brief scores: Muscat Masters 174 for 5 in 20 overs (Gaurav Honavar 69, Narendra Vandaria 35; Gopakumar Gopal 2/40) lost to FHD Crazy Challengers 178 for 6 in 18.1 overs (Shaikh Akbar Gafar 52, Sajith Chenganassery 49 n.o., Praveen Kumar 42; Bhavin Sampat 2/48).