Ruthless bowling from Nasir Khan helped the American University of Sharjah pick up a resounding win over Manipal University in the final of the MaxTalent Pride Cup at the FairGrounds Oval on Saturday.
The young bowler put in a supreme performance, taking five wickets for just 16 runs to help hold Manipal University to just a 97 run total, a sum that took AUS just 13 overs to reach.
After taking the wicket of Hamid Mohammad in the first over, Khan tore through the Manipal University middle order, helping AUS pick up the Pride Cup for the second year running.
“The policy was that we shouldn’t be complacent and we should press them in the field to help restrict them to as few runs as possible,” Khan told Sport360. “It gave us confidence, it made us think ‘this isn’t so hard’.
“We stuck to our plan and it was successful. It was more about stopping runs rather than getting wickets.”
Khan wasn’t the only player to put in an inspired performance. Captain Shahzada Haris promoted himself up the order to an opening slot before crunching off an aggressive 58 runs off 38 balls.
“Firstly we restricted them to a very low total,” said Haris. “That was our target once they had chosen to bat first, we did that. From there we didn’t want to stretch the game, we wanted to attack from ball one, so I put myself up the order, usually I bat further down the lineup.
“We started off taking our shots, taking our chances and the game was over before you knew it.
“You have to know the strengths of the other team and lay out your plans accordingly. We put in some good homework and we used the right bowlers.”
Coming into the match both teams had a point to prove as Manipal University had emerged victorious when the two sides met in the group stages.
Winning the toss, Manipal University elected to bat first and skipper Saurabh Gir led from the front, contributing the bulk of his team’s scoring with 59 off 46 balls which included five boundaries and two huge sixes.
Saurabh’s departure dried up the scoring for Manipal University as Khan ripped through their middle order.
Manipal University were then bundled out for 97 in 19.2 overs.
After ripping out early runs, Haris was dismissed by Mohammed Hamid, but it proved too late as his innings had all but ensured AUS of victory.
Haseeb Taj played the supporting role to perfection as he scored 20 runs off 25 balls.
After the game, guests Aquib Javed, the current UAE cricket team coach and a former Pakistan international, and Dubai Cricket Council member Farooq Siddique did the honours of presenting the MSG Player of the Final to Nasir Khan for his five wicket haul.
Haris was presented the MSG Player of the Tournament for his contributions 290 runs and six wickets.
* For breaking news, follow us on @Sport_360 or find us on Facebook.
