Easy wins for Zubair, Fahad Express
MUSCAT: Zubair CT brought its season’s campaign back on track with a facile 4-wicket win against Al Fairuz CT in a D Division game at Muscat Municipality ground 2.
Batting first after winning the toss, Al Fairuz scored a fighting 149 all out in 19.4 overs with Ranjith Kumar topscoring with 29 off 24 balls. Saitham Hussain (26) and Saravanan Manickam (23) also chipped in with useful little knocks. Iqbal Mudassar led the bowling honours with 3 for 23. He was ably support by Parthiban Mohan (2 for 22) and Adnan Mahboob (2 for 31). Zubair CT were guilty of conceding 23 extras, including 15 wides and 2 no balls.
Mayalakkara’s strokeful 54, supported by Balachandran Ramachandran (33) and Adnan Mahboob (28), made sure Zubair CT reached their target with ease, compiling 150 for 6 in 15.4 overs. Gopukumar claimed two for 31. Brief scores: Al Fairuz CT 149 all out in 19.4 overs (Ranjith Kumar 29 – 3x4, Saitham Hussain 26 – 2x4, Saravanan Manickam 23 – 3x4. Iqbal Mudassar 3-23, Parthiban 2-22, Adnan Mahboob 2-31) lost to Zubair CT 150 for 6 in 15.4 overs (Mayalakkara 54 – 9x4, Balachandran Ramachandran 33 – 4x4, Adnan Mahboob 28 – 4x4. Gopukumar 2-31) by 4 wickets. 35 balls. Shareef al Balushi (34) and Shabir al Balushi (25) batted well too. Sooraj A Raj bagged three wickets for 27 while Vijayakumaran Nair took two for 14.
Openers Vijayakumaran (60 off 33 balls) and Sooraj A Raj (30 off 25 balls) were involved in a match-winning partnership of 78. Rajan Nair looked good in his brief knock of 29 off 15 balls as Fahad Express surpassed the total, scoring 134 for 2 in 12.3 overs. Asif al Balushi and Shabir al Balushi claimed one wicket each. Brief scores: OCT Mabellah 133 for 7 in 20 overs (Zafarullah al Balushi 39 – 5x4, 1x6, Shareef al Balushi 34 – 3x4, 1x6, Shabir al Balushi 25 – 5x4. Sooraj A Raj 3-27, Vijayakumaran Nair 2-14) lost to Fahad Express 134 for 2 in 12.3 overs (Vijayakumaran Nair 60 – 9x4,1x6, Sooraj A Raj 30 – 4x4, Rajan Nair 29 – 4x4, 1x6) by 8 wickets. (Salih Valappil 71 – 6x4, 3x6. Sagar Trantukar 2-04, Sachin Mannani 2-20, Imran Khan 2-24) lost to Mehul Entreprises 94 for 2 in 9.2 overs (Shameel Mohammed 54 – 8x4, 1x6, Javed Mohammed 31 – 4x4) by 8 wickets.
Global United edged FHD Crazy Challengers by five wickets in a last-over thrilling finish in an H Division game at OAC III ground in Seeb.
After restricting Challengers to 142 for 8 in 19.4 overs, United secured victory by reaching 144 for 5 in 19.4 overs. Brief scores: FHD Crazy Challengers 142 for 8 in 19.4 overs (Varghese Moolamury 30 – 1x4, 1x6, Dipu Ramachandran 26 – 5x4. Iftikhar Ahmed 3-18, Robiul Hossain 3-27) lost to Global United 144 for 5 in 19.4 overs (Shoab Mohammad 45 – 4x4, 1x6, Ibrar Hussain 33 – 4x4, Robiul Hossain 24 – 3x4. Varghese Moolamury 2-22) by 5 wickets.