Multiplex International register narrow win in Bukhatir League

sharjah — Multiplex International edged past Alubond Tiger to register a one-wicket victory in a Group A match of the 42nd Bukhatir League cricket Tournament 2016 at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. The tournament is organised by Sharjah Cricket Council.

This win meant Multiplex International recorded their second successive victory.

Needing 189 to win, Multiplex International got off to a reasonably good start with openers Sapandeep Singh (14) and Imran Ali (22) sharing a 28-run stand for the opening wicket.

At 61 for five, Multiplex International were clearly out of reckoning before Laxman Manjrekar and Haroon Ahmed got the innings back on track.

Manjrekar stuck around for a while scoring a steady 25-ball 20 consisting of a boundary and a six. Haroon Ahmed continued to play at ease mixing caution with aggression as he hit 40 from 86 deliveries with the help of three boundaries and a six. Skipper Zeeshan Khan helped his team inch closer to the victory scoring a 49-ball 27 including four boundaries before he was run out. Imran Haider wiped out another 19 from the required runs before he too succumbed falling short of the crease in the penultimate ball.

But his partner Asif Abbas who stayed with him all the while smashed a boundary off the last ball to ensure Multiplex International won in the last ball of the innings. Abbas remained unbeaten on 18 from 15 deliveries containing a boundary and a six.

Earlier put in to bat first, Alubond Tigers were rocked by early wickets with as they were left tottering at 26 for three. Ghulam Shabbir (17) and Nasir Aziz (34) carved a patient 46run partnership before another couple of wickets put them in the backseat.

Asif Mumtaz scored a painful 41 not out from 110 deliveries with just two fours while Sultan Ahmed smashed a quick 22-ball 23 including a six as Alubond Tigers achieved 188 in 46.3 overs.

Multiplex International’s Qadeer Ahmed earned the man-of-thematch for his three wicket haul from 8.3 overs including two maidens. Imran Haider and Mohammad Yasur claimed two wickets each.

Brief scores

>Multiplex International bt Alubond Tigers by 1 wicket.

Alubond Tigers: 188 all out in 46.3 overs (Shahid Siddique 12, Ghulam Shabbir 17, Nasir Aziz 34, Umair Ali 10, Asif Mumtaz 41 not out, Sultan Ahmed 23, Mohammad Azhar 10; Qadeer Ahmed 3 for 33, Imran Haider 2 for 29, Mohammad Yasir 2 for 48).

>Multiplex International: 192 for nine in 50 overs

(Sapandeep Singh 14, Imran Ali 22, Laxman Manjrekar 20, Haroon Ahmed 40, Zeeshan Khan 27, Imran Haider 19, Asif Abbas 18 not out; Nasir Aziz 2 for 31). Man-of-thematch: Qadeer Ahmed of Multiplex International. Umpires: Naveed Ismail and Asif Iqbal. Scorers: Zameel Hameed and M Asif.w