Trojans, Spartans score big wins over Gladiators, Titans
dubai — Trojans and Spartans registered comprehensive wins against Gladiators and Titans respectively in the Dubai Cricket Council’s U-16 Youth League.
Gladiators seemed to have made a cardinal mistake of batting first at the Dubai International Stadium as their batsmen were literally groping in the dark, so to speak, against some tidy and accurate bowling from Pandey (3-20), Adithya Shetty (2-8) and Colin Alphonso (2-3) to be bundled out for a meagre 64.
Trojans could not have asked for a better first outing and a smaller target to chase. Although they lost their opener Thomas Mariadason early, Kai Smith with an unbeaten 42 which contained a six and seven fours and player of the match Rounak (23 not out) carried their team home in 19.5 overs and with nine wickets still in the bag.
In another U-16 match, Muhammad Ali Mirza (87), Rudra M (45) and Raed Ali (24 n.o.) took Spartans to 167 for 6 in 25 overs at the ICC Academy. Vishnu N bowled brilliantly for Titans bagging three wickets.
Titans faltered in their chase with only Ahaan F (22) and Vinayak V (35) putting up some resistance against some superb bowling from Adithya G (3-19) and Nilansh K (3-23).
Titans were bowled out for 105 to hand Spartans victory by 62 runs. Muhammad Ali Mirza was declared the player of the match.
Four teams Spartans, Titans, Trojans and Gladiators will battle it out in a single round-robin league over ten days with the best two teams making the final on May 8.
Each team will have the benefit of an U-19 player as guest in order to boost their confidence.
Matches will be played at the ICC Academy, Dubai Stadium and The 7s ground.
Brief scores:
Trojans beat Gladiators by 9 wickets Gladiators 64 all out in 19.5 overs (Ahmed Tariq 15 n.o., Vritya Arvind 11; Rounak Pandey 3-20, Adithya Shetty 2-8, Colin Alphonso 2-3) Trojans 69 for 1 in 14 overs (Kai Smith 42 n.o., Rounak Pandey 23 n.o.). Man of the match: Rounak Pandey. Spartans beat Titans by 62 runs Spartans 167 for 6 in 25 overs (Muhammad Ali Mirza 87, Rudra M 45, Raed Ali 24 n.o.; Vishnu N 3-22) Titans 105 all out in 20.3 overs (Vinayak V 35, Ahaan F 22; Aditya G 3-19, Nilansh K 3-23). Man of the match: Muhammad Ali Mirza.