Assarain defeat Muscat
MUSCAT: Assarain had a lot to cheer about as it stayed undefeated against the top Premier Division sides desperate to drag it down from the top spot that it has held for much of the season as usual.
Sniffing a serious opportunity to boost its own chances of landing the coveted 50-over League title, the second-placed Muscat found the full-strength and formidable Assarain at its very best in an 8-wicket drubbing at Oman Cricket’s grassy ground 1 in Amerat on Saturday.
Assarain secured the victory after it came from behind to hold Passage to India (PTI) to a sensational tie in a flood-lit T20 League match, thanks to a superb 88 by captain Gustav Burger at the same venue on Wednesday.
In the weekend’s other 50-over game, Al Turki sealed a comfortable 6-wicket win over IT Works due largely to brilliant bowling by Jay Oddedra and Hemal Kumar and a solid 58 by Sankata Prasad.
In Saturday’s game, Muscat ran into a spirited Assarain and two of its most consistent bowlers Sindo Michael and Shakeel Ahmed who picked four and three wickets to dismiss them for 121 in the 44th over. Only Aniruddha Chore batted with authority, scoring a fighting 53. It took Assarain only 17 overs to complete the formality of surpassing a small total, racing to 122 for 2 thanks to splendid unbeaten knocks by Kail Khalid (50) and Shiv Kumar (35).
Brief scores (Premier Division 50-over League): Muscat all out 121 in 43.5 overs (Aniruddha Chore 53 – 3x4, Siddharth Prasad 20 – 2x4. Sindo Michael 4-31, Shakeel Ahmad 3-16) thrashed by Assarain 122 for 2 in 17.1 overs (Kail Khalid 50 not out – 5x4, 3x6, Shiv Kumar 35 not out – 3x4, 1x6, Sanuth Ebrahim 25 – 4x4, 1x6) by 8 wickets.
Win for Al Turki
Al Turki bowled exceptionally well to dismissed IT Works for 124 in the 41st over, Jay Oddedra and Hemal Kumar claiming three wickets each. Opener Jehanzeb Asghar Ali once again topscored with an impressive 43.
Sankata Prasad’s stylish 58 was the highlight of Al Turki’s chase as it overhauled the total in the 38th over, scoring 127 for 4.
Brief scores(Premier Division 50-over League): IT Works 124 all out in 40.2 overs (Jahanzeb Asghar Ali 43 – 7x4, 1x6, Akmal Shahzad 20 – 1x4. Jay Oddedra 3-25, Hemal Kumar 3-36, Mohit Patel 2-32) lost to Al Turki NMC 127 for 4 in 37.2 overs (Sankata Prasad 58 – 7x4, 1x6) by 6 wickets.
Assarain hold PTI
Assarain poured cold water on PTI’s hopes to overtake it at the top of T20 League standings by walking away with a tied game. Requiring 12 runs to win in the final over while chasing 169, Assarain scored 11 to tie the game, securing a vital point and its lead as well.
PTI posted 168 for 6 thanks to major contributions from Kashyumkumar (42), Amir Kaleem (38) and Khurram Khan (27 not out). Sindo Michael took 2 for 35.
Assarain’s chase was led by captain Gustav Burger who struck 88 that included 4 towering sixes. Kail Khalid played a vital role holding the innings together with an unbeaten 35.
Brief scores (Premier Division T20 League): PTI 168 for 6 in 20 overs (Kashyapkumar 42 – 6x4, 1x6, Amir Kaleem 38 – 4x4, 1x6, Khurram Khan 27 not out – 1x4, 2x6. Sindo Michael 2-35, Shakeel Ahmad 1-16) tied with Assarain 168 for 5 in 20 overs (Gustav Burger 88 – 7x4, 4x6, Kail Khalid 35 not out – 3x4, 1x6.