Half-centuries from Umair Ali Khan and Gulam Shabbir saw Alubond Tigers power to a fine 156- run victory over Eids CC in the Al Dhaid T20 tournament.
Winning the toss and deciding to bat at Sharjah’s Al Dhaid cricket village, Khan (78) and Shabbir (57) was on fire with the bat, helping Tigers score 276-7. In reply, Eids CC were all out for 120 as Asif Mumtaz finished with figures of 4-25 to lose by an embarrassing margin.
It was a deserving victory for Tigers, who dominated the match.
After Shahid Siddique was removed after hitting two boundaries and a six in his 16-run knock, it was Khan and Shabbir who were outstanding with the bat. Mixing aggression and caution, the pair put on a superb 106-run partnership for the second wicket.
Khan blasted seven fours in his 78-run knock from just 38 balls, while Shabbir hit a quickfire 57 having faced only 24 deliveries, a knock that included eight boundaries and two sixes.
Zeeshan Bangesh further strengthened the total smashing a nine-ball 25.
Chasing an improbable target, Eids CC needed to get off to a good start and they certainly did that. Khalid Shah struck a fine 27-ball 41 but his team-mates had no answer to Tigers’ bowling unit, especially Sultan Ahmed and Mumtaz.
Eids batsmen were looking for runs, but the bowling duo were on top of their game as they ran through the inning before finally Unstoppable: Umair Ali Khan. wrapping it up in the 15th over.
