U A E C R I C K E T . C O M

Defending champions, Emirates Airline displayed their all round class when they dumped recently crowned ACC Trophy champions, ECB Colts by a massive margin of 101 runs in the inaugural match of the Catch Spring Water Gold Cup for the XII Ramadan Floodlit Cricket Tournament. The tournament is sponsored by Baba Global Limited, India and organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, Emirates Airline were at their aggressive best as they put up a good total of 242 for 8 in the stipulated 25 overs. They got off to a good start as opener Zulfiqar Ali (32 off 25 balls with 5 fours and a six) put up 47 runs for the first wicket in company of Mohammad Imran (16 off only 8 balls). However, the top middle order couldn't capitalise on the good start as Farhan S grabbed 3 wickets for 41 runs - two in his first over- in a good spell and at 127 for 6, ECB Colts seemed to have the upper hand. Nevertheless, crisis man of the hour Khurram Khan rose to the occasion and smashed a superb 74 off only 63 balls with 8 fours and 3 sixes and put up 99 runs for the eighth wicket in company of Murali Sockalingam (43 off 38 balls with 4 fours and six). It was mainly their effort that allowed their team to finish strongly. Tauqeer (2 for 31) was the other bowler to shine.

Chasing a stiff victory target of 243 against some quality bowling, ECB Colts never really got going as wickets kept tumbling at both ends at regular intervals. Mairaj K (41 off 47 balls with 2 fours and 3 sixes) and opener Asim Saeed (24) were the only batsmen to offer any resistance. Ali Atif proved to be their nemesis as he grabbed the top three wickets for 23 runs in a most impressive spell. He was most ably supported by the two Zulfiqars, Butt and Ali, who grabbed three wickets apiece giving away 11 and 23 runs respectively as ECB Colts ultimately ended at a disappointing score of 191 for 9 in 35 overs, conceding defeat by a huge margin of 101 runs.

Click here for brief Scorecard.

The victorious Emirates Airline team with the umpires after the game on Wednesday.

Thursday, November 30, 2000.
source : UAEcricket.com.

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