Arab Unity, Pak Islamia Ajman to feature in Al Rawabi final

BY : A CORRESPONDENT.
Defending champions Arab Unity School waltzed into the finals of the Al Rawabi under-18 inter-school cricket tournament by beating Our Own (Dubai) by 5 wickets to set up a meeting with Pakistan Islamia (Ajman), in the tournament conducted by Dubai cricket Council and sponsored by Al Rawabi dairy, purveyors of fresh milk and fruit juices.

Our Own won the toss and batted first but could not get going and were bundled out for a low score of 111 runs in 31 overs.

Only two batsmen stood amongst the collapse with some dignity; Skipper Vivek top scored with 33 runs in 42 balls including 5 hits to the fence and Hussain Shabbir played a patient knock of 24 runs in 49 balls including 2 boundaries as Arab Unity bowlers kept their stranglehold throughout the match.

Sufian Javed was the pick of the Arab Unity bowlers as he prised out 3 wickets for 26 runs while Maisam Raza did well to bag 2 wickets for 10 runs towards the end.

Even though Arab Unity was chasing a small target, Our Own (Dubai) bowlers fought back by picking up wickets at regular intervals.

Maisam Raza who had bowled well earlier played a gritty innings of 25 runs in 23 balls to set up the chase. He hit 3 boundaries in his run a ball knock.

At 54 for 3, Our Own were in with a slight chance as Mohsin and Vaibhav bowled well, but Qasim (17) and Sufian (15) put their heads down to add 41 runs for the fourth wicket and steer them out of trouble and to a win in 28.1 overs with five wickets to spare.

Arab Unity now play the 40 over finals at Emirates/DCC 1 grass ground on Tuesday starting from 9 a.m. against Pakistan Islamia (Ajman).

Summarized Scores:

Arab Unity School beat Our Own English (Dubai) by five wickets
Our Own 111 all out in 31 overs (Vivek Regi Thomas 33, Hussain Shabbir 24, Sufian Javed 3 for 26, Maisam Raza 2 for 10).
Arab Unity School 116 for 5 in 28.1 overs (Maisam Raza 25, Qasim 17, Sufian 15, Mohsin 2 for 24, Vaibhav 2 for 11).
Man of the match: maisam raza of Arab Unity School.

Monday, April 19, 2004.
source : © UAEcricket.com.