Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) team breezed into the final of the CSS Homeward Bound Sharjah Ramadan cricket tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
CSS defeated the visiting Al Raha team from Oman by four wickets to loudly announce that they are ready to defend the title for the third time in succession. Their journey towards the historic hat-trick has so far been smooth. Despite losing the toss yesterday, CSS put up a sterling performance after Al Raha piled up a challenging 170 for 8.
Al Raha lost an early wicket in opener Muhammed Aslam (9). Qaim Hussain (11), who joined opener Naeem, put on 47 runs for the second wicket.
Naeem went for his shots and hit the fourth ball of Naeem's second over for a six. He also hit Rizwan's third delivery of his first over for a six. At the score of 65, Rizwan took revenge, clean bowling Naeem for 47 (31b, 5x4, 2x6).
Leg spinner Aqeel Latif ran and Rizwan ran through the middle to push Al Rafa to 116 for 8. At this stage, Sultan Ahmed took up the challenge and played some lovely shots with Shibith (16n.o) as partner. They put on an unbroken 54 runs. Sultan returned, clapped all the way, for a superb unbeaten 49.
CSS lost opener Rowmahs (5) bowled by Farhan, Shashikanth (27) and Sameer saw CSS past the 50-run mark. Left-arm spinner Tariq struck twice to dismiss skipper Maqsood (0) and Sameer (10) before Asghar began the rescue act with a 25. CSS slipped to 93 for 5 needing 78 runs in 10 overs.
Naeemullah took up the challenge and cracked an unbeaten 43 (35b, 2x4, 1x6) and CSS won with three balls to spare.
In a B division match, defending champions Lloyds Bank crashed out to Jahsanmal by six wickets.
Lloyds Bank scored an impressive 183 in 30 overs but it was not impressive enough to stop Jashanmal.
Opener Sujahatullah was the hero behind the victory. He cracked an unbeaten 77. Saleem Saeed, who picked two crucial wickets, hit 57.
Summarised scores
Al Raha Cricket Club 170 for 8 in 35 overs (Naeem 47, Sultan 49n.o, Rizwan 2 for 16, Aqeel Latif 2 for 22) lost to CSS 171 for 6 in 34.2 overs (Shashikanth 27, Asghar 25, Naeemullah 43n.o, Tariq Hussain 2 for 22, Naeemullah 2 for 22) Man of the match: Naeemullah.
Lloyds Bank 183 in 30 overs (Ashok Makhija 35, Kamran 2 for 23, Tauseef Ahmed 2 for 25, Salim Saeed 3 for 42) lost to Jashanmal 184 for 4 in 27.5 overs (Shujahatullah 77n.o, Saleem Saeed 57) Man of the match: Saleem Saeed.
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