Orakzai sail; mixed luck for Defenders

dubai — Orakzai 11s secured a comfortable victory while it was mixed luck for Defenders in the ICCA Summer Cricket League (SCL) organised by the ICC Cricket Academy.

Orakzai 11s posted a 38-run win over Defenders before the latter team did well to defeat Oman Insurance by seven wickets.

Orakzai were led by a splendid century from Anser Khan who smashed a fine 101 from just 45 balls. His innings came off 13 boundaries and four sixes. He shared a great opening wicket 126-run partnership with Suleman Mohammed who contributed just 27 from 38 deliveries.

Fayaz Ahmed chipped in with 17 as Orakzai posted 175 for five in 20 overs. Rizwan Amanat and Waqas Ali Jutt bagged two wickets each for Defenders.

Chasing a challenging total, Defendershad a top order collapse from where recovery was very difficult. Rizwan Amanat (21) and Mohsin Matto (35) put on resistance for a while but with the pressure building up, Defenders CC could muster only 137 for seven in 20 overs. For the winners, Alam Fakeer and Suleman Mohd claimed two each.

Defenders put on a far better performance against Oman Insurance registering a seven-wicket victory. After opting to bat first, Oman Insurance were ordinary in their batting approach with only Renijith (20) and Usman (23) coming good with the bat to post 117 for nine in 20 overs. Rizwan and M Tauqir were the successful bowlers to claim two wickets each.

In reply, opener Waseem fired a 24-ball 45 while Qasier (26) and Farrukh A (20) made significant contributions to help Defenders get past the target in only the 16th over.

Dubai Mammoths also put on a commanding show posting two victories. While they defeated Skybridge Freight Solution by five wickets, they handed Damac Properties a 20-run victory.