Monday, May 13, 2013
Sharjah: The Indian High School, Dubai, upset Gems Modern Academy’s hopes of reaching the final of the Maxtalent Global Vision Cup boys Under-17 inter-school tournament. They defeated Gems, which is one of UAE’s the strongest inter-schools cricket teams, by three wickets mainly through a deadly four-wicket spell from Sahil Shaikh.
The Indian High School will now meet Our Own School, Al Warqaa in the final on Monday. In the semi-final, Our Own Al Warqaa defeated Our Own Sharjah by 22 runs. In this match a four-wicket spell from Priyadarshan ensured Our Own Al Warqaa’s victory after they posted an impressive 146 for 4.
It was a day when nothing went right for Gems team staring from the toss. Put into bat by the Indian High School, they lost the wicket of their star inform batsman Karthik Dudeja very early. Shaikh put pressure on Gems batsmen by taking four wickets from his four overs giving away just 21 runs.
Gems skipper Anjaneya Malpani tried his best to lift his school out of trouble through a knock of 42 runs off 56 balls. Sushain Thapad too chipped in with 23 runs but by the end of the 20th over they could muster only 99 runs for eight wickets.
The Indian High School chased the moderate total through knocks of 17 runs each from Shaun Kachroo and Kumal Thakwani reached the target in 17.4 overs.
The Our Own Al Warqaa players rose to the challenge when it mattered. Rishi Ramachandani hit 66 runs in just 36 balls with four boundaries and three huge sixers. Jithesh Gangwani scored 23 runs.
Our Own Sharjah would have reached the target but for Priyadarshan’s spell. Aaron George top scored with 37 runs aided by Ravi Bhupendra’s 23 runs. Priyadarshan was well supported by Hemant Shaji with a three wicket spell and Our Own Sharjah was bowled out for 124 runs.
Brief scores:
Semi-finals: Indian High School (Dubai) bt Gems Modern Academy by 3 wkts. Gems Modern Academy 99 for 8 in 20 overs. (Anjaneya Malpani 42, Sushain Thapad 23, Sahil Sheik 4 for 21)Indian High School, Dubai 100 for 6 in 17.4overs. (Anirudh Vishwanath 2 for 21, Mohit Pradeep 2 for 27).
Our Own Alwarqaa bt Our Own Sharjah by 22 runs. Our Own Al Warqaa 146 for 4 in 20overs (Rishi Ramchandani 66, Jithesh Gangwani 23, Hamad Ulde 2 for 20). Our Own Sharjah 124 in 19.5overs (Aaron George 37, Raviraj Bhupendra 23, Priyadarshan 4 for 25, Hemant Shaji 3 for 26).
By K.R. Nayar Chief Cricket Writer
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