Odell Menon steered Choueifat Dubai to an exciting win over Cambridge High School, Dubai in the Al Rawabi inter-schools tournament for under-18, conducted by the Dubai Cricket Council.
Choueifat got off to a breezy start with Menon and Hamza Malik adding 114 runs for the first wicket. Choueifat recorded a challenging 214 in 21 overs. Odell hit 71(53b, 11x4) while Hamza cracked 45 (40b, 8x4). Chirag Israni, too, hit 38 in 35 balls.
Cambridge started well with Alok Tahiliramani hitting 37 runs in 23 balls while Rishi Advani made 37 in 30 balls to put on 88 runs for the first wicket.
Amrit Bhagnani (31) and Abdul Mateen (36) maintained the run flow, but excellent bowling from Ashray Kalra backed up by good fielding swung the game back in Choueifat's favour. Cambridge were finally restricted to 198 in 21 overs. Ashray picked four for 42.
In another match Pakistan Islamia, Sharjah, raced past Pakistan Education Academy by five wickets.
Imran Nissar was the hero of their team's win. Chasing 210 for win Pakistan Islamia got a good start as Mobeen Zahid made 28 while Qasim Khan struck 36 and the openers put on 67 runs.
Imran Nissar then hit a quickfire 50 (32b, 5x4, 2x6).
Earlier, opener Omer Shah (41) and Mudassar (30) gave Pakistan Education Academy a flying start, but the later-order batsmen failed to press home the advantage and were all out for 209. Muqaddas and Amir bagged three wickets each for Pakistan Islamia.
Summarised scores:Choueifat Dubai 214 for four in 21 overs (Odell Menon 71, Hamza 45, Chiragh 38, Harish Lakhiani 23) bt Cambridge High School 198 for eight in 21 overs (Alok 37, Rishi Advani 37, Amrit 31, Abdul Mateen 36, Ashray 4 for 42, Neeraj 2 for 29). Man of the match: Odell Menon.
Pakistan Education Academy 209 for nine in 25 overs (Omer Shah 41, Mudasar 30, Fahad Pir Bux 25, Naseeb 23, Muqaddas 3 for 27, Amir 3 for 35) lost to Pakistan Islamia-Sharjah 210 for five in 23.2 overs (Mobeen Zahid 28, Qasim Khan 36, Imran Nissar 50, Humayun 24, Ilyas 20, Jawad 20) Man of the match: Imran Nisar.
Gulf News 2003
