BY : SYED SHAHZAD AFZAL.
In a thrilling display of spirited efforts, Top guns Sharjah CC halted mighty NUCAF Tellicherry’s juggernaut when they prevailed over them by a narrow margin of 1 wicket on Wednesday in the ongoing Consolidated Shipping Gold Cup, conducted by Sharjah Cricket Council.

Despite a small total to defend, NUCAF Tellicherry played like tigers and produced a spirited performance in the field that had almost doomed Sharjah C.C. but thanks to the last wicket pair of Khalid (8*) and Rameez, who took their team to a hard earned victory with 2 balls remaining in a tense, low scoring affair.

Set to chase a modest victory target of 137, Sharjah C.C. were in tatters at 36 for 3 by the 10th over but the experience of Irfan Ansari (24) and the youthful enthusiasm of Fauz (24) realized a match wining 42 runs partnership for the fourth wicket that put Sharjah on the road to victory.

But NUCAF Tellicherry did not lie down, and proved their mettle by storming back in to the match by capturing the next 2 wickets for the addition of 18 runs. The result was uncertain right up to the last moment when Sharjah needed another 31 runs from 5 overs but Sajid Ansari compiled a highly effective 23 off 33 balls to help Sharjah C.C. achieve the target.

Sanjay (2/21) softened the top with a tidy opening spell while Gopal struck vital blows from time to time and was the most impressive bowler with 3 wickets for 21 runs from his allotted 6 overs while Salim also rose to the occasion and captured 3 scalps for 30 but all their efforts were in vain as Sharjah C.C. topped the group with 6 points.

Earlier, electing to bat first, NUCAF Tellicherry were going great guns at 102 for 3 but a dramatic middle order collapse saw them losing their last 7 wickets for a mere addition of 34 runs, which ultimately proved to be pivotal moment of the match.

Opener, Saleem Khan (27 off a run a ball with 3 fours and a six) played with his usual aggressive fashion and set the tone of a confident start by adding a composed 45 runs for the first wicket in association with Nasser (13).

Harish further consolidated the situation and when just looked to threaten, he departed for a classy 30 off 35 balls. He resurrected the faltering innings with Tamim Ansari (20) and added a well-compiled 44 for the fourth wicket.

All the frontline batsmen got their head in and a big total looked in picture, but the rest of the batting disappointed and no one flourished to push the score beyond the 150-run mark as Rameez proved to be their nemesis with fine figures of 3 for 12 while Irshad Ansari (2/22) and Fauz (2/34) were the other principle destroyers.

Click Here for Brief Scorecard.

Wednesday, February 21, 2001.
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