Ajman Nawabs crowned champions of the Rising Star Cup

Sport360 staff 18:09 20/07/2018
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  • We are the champions: Ajman Nawabs

    Ajman Nawabs were crowned champions of the Rising Star Cup after defeating Ajman Lions by 40 runs in a thrilling final.

    Electing to bat after winning the toss, Ajman Nawabs lost an early wicket when Anwar Khan was dismissed for just four runs. Captain Alishan Sharafu then followed him back as he was caught out off Trish Shetty for 26 runs. His innings included three fours and one six.

    Nawabs was dealt another blow when Shoun Roger, who scored a century in his last game, was brilliantly bowled by a slow-off cutter by Marlon Malcolm with the batsman contributing for just four runs.

    The momentum was with the Lions but Siddhant Agrawal and Niel Lobo came to the crease and formed a good stand with both players falling for 35.

    Ayan Khan, who received an award for the Emerging Player of the tournament, added to the total with 25 runs while Safeerullah Khan, who managed 42 in his last game, fell for just two runs.

    Although they were 140-6 in 34 overs, a quick cameo from Zuhaib Zuhair, who hit 11 runs including two fours and a six gave Nawabs a competitive total of 165-9 in their 40 overs.

    Ronak Panoly finished with 1-21, while Shetty and Aizaz Sajid took two wickets each for Lions.

    With 166 to win, Lions tinkered with their batting line-up and sent Shetty and Malcom to open the innings. But it proved to be an error as Marlon fell for a duck before Shetty was dismissed for 11 by Ayan Khan.

    Saier Aamir also fell at the hands of Ayan being trapped LBW for three runs. Panoly and Haider Wasi Shah looked to settle the nerves but Nawabs got Panoly out for 22.

    Shah was looking good at the crease but saw his team-mates dismissed at regular intervals. Despite the set-backs, Shah continued to frustrated Nawabs and reached his fifty before being bowled by Sharafu.

    Nawabs got the final wicket to claim a 40-run win with Zuhair the stand out bowler with four wickets.

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