Kumara shines as Edible Arrangements clinch title
sharjah — A timely half century from Prashanth Kumara powered Edible Arrangements to a superb win over The Panthers to clinch the maiden Al Dhaid T20 Summer Cup 2015. The tournament is organised by Sharjah Cricket Council at the Al Dhaid Cricket Village’s turf grounds.
Chasing a challenging 166 to win, Edible Arrangements made an optimistic start with openers Darmalingham Murali (18, 13b, 2x6) and Khurram Saeed (14, 7b, 2x6) taking charge. They dealt with sixes but after having set themselves in it was a double blow with both of the openers returning to the pavilion.
Another two wickets immediately fell to put Edible Arrangements in a state of bother before
Kumara and Nishan Dilip took charge. Despite being in a difficult situation, the duo hardly wasted any time to pick on The Panthers bowlers from the word go.
The duo shard a half century partnership to take Edible Arrangements closer to victory before both al ain — NMC defeated Al Faraa by three wickets to enter the final of the Al Faraa Corporate T20 League cricket tournament organised by Durham-UAE at the Al Ain Sportplex ground.
The tournament is being organised under the auspices of the Al Ain Cricket Council. The pressures of a semifinals was quite evident as the two teams squared up under the trying conditions.
Al Faraa, who had earlier defeated Hadd Cricket Club by a six-wicket margin in the quarterfinals, did rather well to post 180 runs against NMC. Babar Bashir stroked his way to 50 off just 37 balls including two sixes and six boundaries while Faisal Baig hit a six and five boundaries in his knock of 45. NMC’s Haider Ali pulled
succumbed at a crucial juncture. While Kumara had fired a 36-ball 53 including eight boundaries and a six, Nishan hammered a six during his 26-ball stay to score 27.
Dilan Chandaka contributed a vital 15 not out while Susantha Jayalal (7) as Edible Arrange- ments surpassed the target with three balls to spare. Kumara was adjudged the man of the final for his half century. Earlier, batting first, The Panthers were given a fine start even though they lost a wicket early. Farhan Barbar found the fence on seven occasions while once over it to smash a 37-ball 59 while Saqib Rasheed hit 34 from 30 deliveries consisting of a boundary.
Fawad Mohammad chipped in with 20-ball 26 and was supported by Shamroze Khan (18 not out) as The Panthers posted a challenging 165 for eight in 20 overs.
Khurram Saeed was the pick of the bowlers for the winners claiming three wickets in his four overs conceding only 23 runs.