Zawawi, Al Jadidi book A Division victories
By Shahzad Raza
MUSCAT: Amazing strokeplay by Oman veterans Amir Kaleem and Zeeshan Siddiqui powered Khuwair Warriors to a sensational 5-wicket victory against Qurum Thunders in an Oman Cricket-organised D20 Cricket League game at OC Turf 1 in Amerat on Saturday.
Requiring 183 to win, the duo was involved in a whirlwind opening stand of 74 that came off only 3.3 overs, laying the foundation for a successful chase as Khuwair sealed the win in 18.4 overs thanks to the late onslaught by Sean Novak who smashed an unbeaten 26 off only 16 balls including 3 huge hits over the fence. Zeeshan whacked 39 off 14 including 4 fours and 3 sixes while Amir Kaleem clobbered 56 off 24 including 6 fours and 4 sixes.
Prolific opener Kashyapkumar Prajapati topscored for Qurum with a hurricane 95 off 48 that had 6 fours and an equal number of sixes, leading his side to an imposing 182 for 6. Khuwair pacer Muzahir Raza was quite impressive, picking up 3 for 24.
Brief Scores (D20): Qurum Thunders 182 for 6 in 20 overs (Kashyapkumar Prajapati 95 – 6×4, 6×6, Muzahir Raza 3-24) lost to Khuwair Warriors 186 for 5 in 18.4 overs (Aamir Kaleem 56 – 6×4, 4×6, Zeeshan Siddiqui 39 – 4×4, 3×6) by 5 wickets.
Tandel tears Darsait apart
In another D20 League game at the same venue on Saturday, Hemalkumar Tandel’s fast and furious spell of 4 for 23 was the highlight of Amerat Royals’ 76-run win over Darsait Titans.
Karan Sonavale’s 42, Pratik Athavale’s 33 and Rafi Ullah’s swashbuckling 25 off 11 helped Amerat to 176 for 7 in 20 overs. Sachin Kumar bagged 2 for 31.
Darsait failed to rise to the occasion, scoring only 100 for 9 as Tandel ran through the side with a devastating spell. Mehran Khan bowled well too, taking 2 for 18. Only Khurram Khan (29) and Amanpreet Singh (23) batted with some authority.
Brief Scores (D20): Amerat Royals 176 for 7 in 20 overs (Karan Sonavale 42 – 5×4, 2×6, Pratik Athavale 33- 4×4, Rafi Ullah 25 – 1×4, 3×6. Sachin Kumar 2-31) beat Darsait Titans 100 for 9 in 20 overs (Khurram Khan 29 – 2×4, Amanpreet Singh 23 – 1×4, 1×6, Hemalkumar Tandel 4-23, Mehran Khan 2-18) by 76 runs.
Nishad bowls Zawawi to big win
Brilliant bowling by Nishad KS, who claimed 4 for 13, steered Zawawi Powertech to a thumping 153-run victory against Sarco in a 50-over A Division League clash at OC Turf 2 in Amerat on Saturday.
Opener Arun Dev topscored with a patient 58 off 90 whereas Nishad contributed 32 off 56 as Zawawi scored 239 all out in 49.2 overs. Nazish Mohammed and Dileepa Srilal claimed three wickets each.
Sarco failed to make a match of it, getting dismissed for a disappointing 86 in 30 overs due largely to Nishad’s superb spell. Tanuj Shivakumar and Suhil Kanagaraj bowled well too, taking three wickets each.
Brief Scores (A Division): Zawawi Powertech 239 all out in 49.2 overs (Arun Dev 58 – 5×4, Nishad K S 32 – 3×4, Nazish Mohammad 3-46, Dileepa Srilal 3-41, Zahid Hafiz 2-39) beat Sarco 86 all out in 30 overs (Ajay Menon 16 – 4×4, Nishad K S 4-13, Tanuj Shivakumar 3-20, Suhil Kanagaraj 3-22) by 153 runs.
Nidhin stars in Al Jadidi win
Earlier, in another A Division game on Friday, Al Jadidi Stars rode on Nidhin Mohan’s magnificent 111 and Parameswaran Shankar’s outstanding 5 for 30 to thrash Sunlight by 196 runs at OC Turf 2.
Nidhin’s ton was the highlight of Al Jadidi’s 323 all out in 47 overs. Half centuries by Shaheer Najeeb and Nishanth Meethalveedu were the other notable scores. Punit Mehta bagged 3 for 38.
Shankar destroyed Sunlight with his 5-wicket spell and the whole side was bundled out for 127 in the 28th over. Ali Muhammed claimed 3 for 41. Hafiz Irfan (42) and Madhur Bhatnagar (36) were the Sunlight’s main scorers.
Brief Scores (A Division): Al Jadidi Stars 323 all out in 47 overs (Nidhin Mohan 111 – 8×4, 1×6, Shaheer Najeeb 59 – 8×4, Nishanth Meethalveedu 57 – 6×4, 1×6, Punit Mehta 3-38, Qasim Ali 2-51, Ilyas Afreedi 2-58, Wasif Khan 2-73) beat Sunlight 127 all out in 27.4 overs (Hafiz Irfan 42 – 5×4, Madhur Bhatnagar 36 – 5×4, Parameswaran Shankar 5-30, Ali Muhammed 3-41, Muhammad Waqas 2-55) by 196 runs.