24 Aug 2006
Dubai: A brilliant 112 from Khuram Khan helped Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) register a 111-run victory over Qatar and enter the semifinals of the ACC Trophy, currently being played in Kuala Lumpur.
According to information reaching here, the defending champions will meet Nepal today for a place in the final, while Hong Kong will meet Afghanistan to decide the other finalists.
Batting first, ECB openers Iqbal and Arshad put on an opening stand of 58, with Iqbal registering a quickfire 45 off 27 balls.
Arshad contributed 42, while Saqib chipped in with 24.
Khuram, one of the most delightful left-handed batsmen from the Associate member countries of the International Cricket Council (ICC), came up with a flawless display to get to his century. He scored 112 runs off 102 balls with 12 fours and 4 huge sixes. At the other end of the crease, young Rameez Shahzad remained unbeaten on 46.
The ECB side reached 350 for 9 wickets in their allotted 50 overs.
Chasing a daunting task, Qatar openers Jehangir (88) and Sajjad (53) put up a superb 118-run partnership.
The ECB spinners then got into the act, with Shadeep Silva, Mohammad Tauqir and Khuram putting the brakes on the Qatar batsmen.
Silva continued with his fine form with 4 for 39, while Tauqir and Man of the Match Khuram picked up 2 wickets each as Qatar were bowled out for 239 in 48 overs.
Brief scores
Man of the Match: Khuram Khan of ECB.
By Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
