League leaders Swinburne book semi-final spot
KUCHING: Kuch Kriketers’ barren run in the Kuching Cricket League continued to Sunday at TASUDA Ground as they slipped to a 169-run loss to Swinburne and were knocked out.
Obaid continued his impressive run and received good support from Aqib and Shoaib as Kuch Kriketers were shot down for just 123 runs after Swinburne opted to bat first and scored a mammoth 292 for the loss of seven wickets.
With things not going their way, the Kuch Kriketers appeared crestfallen and lacked the muchneeded intensity to overcome such a huge total.
Swinburne’s win, though, was set up by their opening batsman Abdul Qudoos along with Shoaib who hammered Kuch Kriketers bowlers all over the park scoring 81 and 60 respectively.
Obaid provided the much needed impetus and scored at a brisk rate leading his way to 48 not out.
On the o ther h and, only Pushparaj and Manoj fought briefly and were dismissed on deserving deliveries eventually while others struggled or threw away their wickets.
The inability of the experienced batsmen to put their hand up, deliver in crunch times and take the innings forward came to the fore once again as only Pushparaj scored a vital 45 runs.
At 100 for 7, it was Pushparaj who collaborated with Manoj to take the team towards 123.
The right- hander had waged a lone battle but never looked likely to take the game away from Swinburne.
Swinburne are topping the league standings with six points from three wins and two defeats, with Unimas in second spot with five points from two wins, two losses and one draw while CIMB are occupying third spot with five points from two wins, one draw and one loss.
The final league match between Sukma A and CIMB will be played on Nov 4 with the top four teams in the league table advancing to the semi- finals.