Latif powers Ghubrah to another win, Hammad’s last-ball six lifts Azaibah

MUSCAT: Ghubrah Giants’ talisman Imran Latif led his side to yet another victory, this time a 6-wicket thriller against Khuwair Warriors, in a D20 Cricket League clash at Oman Cricket Turf 1 in Amerat on Tuesday.

Latif picked up three valuable wickets to help Ghubrah restrict Khuwair to 161 for 9. Ghazanfar Iqbal and Aqil Khan claimed two wickets each. Sean Novak topscored with a solid 44 whereas Amir Kaleem struck a whirlwind 40 off 20.

Building on the blazing opening start of 47 in less than four overs in which Ghazanfar smashed 40 off only 17 balls including 4 huge sixes, Latif (50 not out off 41) made sure Ghubrah stayed on course to seal a memorable win.

Azmatullah (36 not out of 20) joined him for an unbroken 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket as they reached 164 for 4 in 18.5 overs. Danish Mohammed bagged 2 for 36.

Brief Scores (D20): Khuwair Warriors 161 for 9 in 20 overs (Sean Nowak 44 – 1x4, 4x6, Amir Kaleem 40 – 4x4, 3x6, Imran Latif 3-45, Ghazanfar Iqbal 2-30, Aqil Khan 2-36) lost to Ghubrah Giants 164 for 4 in 18.5 overs (Imran Latif 50 – 4x4, 1x6, Ghazanfar Iqbal 40 – 3x4, 4x6, Danish Mohammad 2-36) by 6 wickets.

Hammad’s last-ball six lifts Azaiba

In another D20 League game on Tuesday, Hammad Mirza’s blazing 85, including a magnificent last-ball six and Imran Muhammed’s fantastic 4 for 24 were the highlights of Azaiba XI’s sensational 7-wicket win over Bousher Busters.

Veteran Adnan Ilyas whacked a belligerent 66 off 44, including 7 hits over the fence, while Ajay Lalcheta contributed 42 off 30 as Bousher posted 155 for 8 on the board. Imran’s four-wicket spell was the major reason Bousher could not set a bigger target.

Azaiba found the going tough and was struggling at 43 for 3 in the 9 th over before Hammad (85 not out off 44) joined Rao Waqar (40 not out off 37) for a matchwinning 105-run partnership. Requiring 13 to win in the final over, Hammad finished the game with a six off the last ball to secure a thrilling victory.

Brief Scores (D20): Bousher Busters 155 for 8 in 20 overs (Adnan Ilyas 66 – 1x4, 7x6, Ajay Lalcheta 42 – 4x4, 1x6, Imran Muhammad 4-24) lost to Azaiba XI 158 for 3 in 20 overs (Hammad Mirza 85 – 2x4, 7x6, Rao Waqar 40 – 4x4, Fawad Ali 2-26) by 7 wickets.

Other Oman Cricket League results

Brief Scores (D Division): Safara International 218 for 2 in 20 overs (Yasir Mohammed 67 – 6x4, 2x6, Sandesh Pusalkar 54 – 7x4, Adeel Anwar 46 – 6x4, 1x6) beat Oct Al Mabela 100 all out in 20 overs (Muhammed Nadim 25 – 4x4, Mushir Nazir 4-17, Syed Uzair 2-13, Amol Dhotre 2-14) by 118 runs. Brief Scores (E Division): Aflag Group Ct 185 for 5 in 20 overs (Junaid Iqbal 117 – 15x4, 2x6, Sagheer Muhammad 2-33) lost to Israr Ghala 187 for 5 in 19 overs (Ali Gul 83 – 12x4, Sagheer Muhammad 49 – 4x4, 1x6, Syed Osama 2-17) by 5 wickets.