Maqsood first scored 55 runs off 69 deliveries to resurrect the DCC XI innings with a 110-run partnership for the sixth wicket with UAE youth captain Mairaj Khaliq (74), and then claimed three wickets for only seven runs.

Batting first, the DCC XI were in all sorts of problems despite veteran Jairaj Thakur holding one end intact with 26 runs off 30 balls. Down in the dumps at an uncomfortable 87 for 5, it was left up to Khaliq and Maqsood to put things back on track for the home side.

Khaliq played a patient knock of 74 runs from 104 balls, including a couple of fours and sixes. Maqsood was the more enterprising of the pair getting his 55 runs off 69 balls. He too hit the bowlers for two boundaries and an equal number of sixes.

After Khaliq's departure, Naemullah Khan, who came lower down in the batting lent the inning a blazing finish with his 26 runs coming off only 12 deliveries, including three sixes.

The home side eventually ended up at 252 for 7 in their allotted 50 overs. Bowling honours went to Muniandy M as he claimed three wickets in his nine overs, though expensive giving away 75 runs.

The Malaysian reply fell short once again as they lost wickets at regular intervals. Opener Rakesh M played a solid inning with his 45 runs coming off 48 balls and Krishnamurthi M waged a lone battle at the end till he was the last man out, with a patient 43 runs off 96 deliveries.

It was Maqsood who came clean among the bowlers getting his three victims at the cost of a mere seven runs. Naeemullah Khan too claimed three wickets for 27 runs as Malaysia were all out for 188 conceding a heavy 64-run victory to home team.

"Our batsmen, especially the top order, did not apply themselves in getting runs," Malaysian coach Vijayalingam V. said after the game. "It is a good batting track and we cannot afford to give any excuses."

Click here for brief Scorecard.

Tuesday, October 10, 2000.
source : Gulf Today.

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