Tuesday, Mar 26, 2013

Dubai: The UAE’s veteran cricketers defied their age and displayed their talent for the Forty’s Cricket Club in an annual encounter against Indian Consul General’s XI at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium last week. Forty’s Club recorded an emphatic 106-run victory.

C.T.K. Nasir, who inspires youngsters playing regular cricket despite his advancing years, top-scored for Forty’s Club with 33 runs. He was well supported by former India’s zonal and UAE player Vijay Mehra with 27 runs and G Force Academy coach and Ranji Trophy player Gopal Jasapara with 22 runs to help Forty’s post an impressive 175 for 5 in 22 overs.

The Indian Consul team suffered against the spin of Ali Anwar Jafri, who was once Bukhatir League’s highest wicket-taker. He picked three wickets for 10 runs supported by Freddy Sidhwa, Shaji Ul Mulk and Mohammad Hyder with two wickets each. Jamil Ahmad’s battling 31 for Consul General’s XI went in vain.

Mazhar Khan, Shaji Ul Mulk and Mohammad Lokhandwala presented the runners-up trophy to Consul Naresh Mehta and a memento to Indian Consul General Sanjay Verma, while Shaji Ul Mulk received the winner’s title.

Meanwhile, Seven Seas Strikers seem to have made a habit of winning through thrillers. In two recent tournaments they had won by just one run, and in the Dollar Rent A Car T10 Cup they beat sponsors Dollar Rent A Car in a super over after both teams scored 105 runs for 7 wickets. Though Salman Afzal top-scored for Seven Seas with 32 runs, once again their spinner and veteran of many battles Freddy Sidhwa provided a vital breakthrough to ensure a tie.

Another exciting match of the week was Ibsons Cricket Club’s one-run win over Phoenix Medicines in the Debonair Pizza T20 Cricket Cup. Though Ibsons were bowled out for 113 runs, they fought back through UAE’s Fayyaz Ahmad, who took three crucial wickets to restrict Phoenix to 112 runs.

Meanwhile, the stage is set for the final of the Sindhi Premier Cricket League, after Chawla Sindhi Royals defeated Nhormus Divine Sindhis by seven wickets in the second semi-final. Vinay Tolani continued to display his top form with an unbeaten 26 and took a crucial wicket. Chawla Sindhis will now meet Petrochem Sindhi Kings in the final on March 29 at 7he Sevens ground from 6pm.

By K.R. Nayar Chief Cricket Writer

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