Lions roar to inflict first Ramadan Cup defeat on Danube

13:05 04/12/2013
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • WhatsApp
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Danube suffered their first loss of the Ramadan Indoor Tournament at the ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City but hit back in their next match to become the first side to seal a place in the semi-finals.

    The champions of the Midnight League, the opening indoor tournament of the summer, were sent crashing to defeat by the Dubai Lions, as they failed to chase down an apparently modest target of 48.

    But Danube bounced back from that 10-run loss by then beating DBMSC Steel 1 by 15 runs to confirm a spot in the last four. As for the other three places, the fight is on between four sides, with the Lions, Oxford Marine, DBMSC Steel 1 and Radio 4 all in contention.

    Emirates Money prop up the Super Six table and are winless after four matches. The final round of games sees Oxford Marine face Danube in a repeat of the final of the Midnight League which Danube won, while DBMSC Steel 1 will go head to head with Emirates Money and Dubai Lions play Radio 4.

    Danube’s loss to the Dubai Lions was a shock to all onlookers, given they were chasing an apparently modest score. The Lions had struggled to 47 after winning the toss and deciding to bat, with Salman Faris proving to be their chief tormentor, taking four wickets for minus six runs.

    During the chase, Danube floundered and never recovered after ending their opening three overs with a score of minus one run. Although they gradually edged towards the winning score, they were still left with 15 to win from the final 18 balls, something that proved beyond them.

    All credit to Danube though, as they bounced back against DBMSC Steel 1. For both teams it was their second match of the session, something all teams have had to do during the Super Six stage spread over four days ahead of two semi-finals and the final on Tuesday.

    DBMSC Steel 1, batting first against Danube, made 47 – ironically the same score that Dubai Lions had earlier defended. But there was to be no repeat performance of Danube’s batting woes as they carefully navigated their way to 62, losing just three wickets in the process to seal their semifinal berth.

    It also completed a miserable night for DBMSC Steel 1, who had begun the evening with a 46-run loss to Oxford Marine. All matches are 12 overs per side with eight players batting in pairs for three overs each.

    Five runs are deducted every time a wicket falls.

     

    * For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.

    Recommended