SFS produced a superb all-round display to crush IMG by 89 runs and seal a place in the Super Six stage of the Ramadan Indoor Tournament at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The two sides had each won their opening two matches in Pool D to set up the winner-take-all encounter, and it was SFS that rose to the challenge to claim top spot.
SFS batted first and racked up an impressive 73 runs, then produced a consummate performance with the ball to restrict IMG to minus 16.
And by winning the match and topping the pool, SFS joined holders Danube Lions (Pool A) and last year’s runner-up DBMSC Steel (Pool B) to advance to the next stage.
The format of the competition is 12 overs per side which sees eight players batting in pairs for three overs each, with five runs deducted every time a wicket falls.
SFS’s score of 73 was impressive but could have been even better had they not lost three wickets in the final over of their innings.
That meant the last three overs of the innings yielded just eight runs, but after three previous three-over periods of 25, 21 and 19 runs it still left SFS in a strong position.
And that was a position SFS took full advantage of when IMG set out on their chase for victory. SFS took 12 wickets and only one three-over period produced a positive number of runs for IMG – 13 during overs seven to nine.
Player of the match, SFS’s Rinu, set the tone with the bat for his side, scoring 16 runs as one of the opening batsmen before later bowling one over and taking one wickets at a cost of minus three runs.
Although Danube and DBMSC Steel have already sealed their Super Six spots, there are still three berths up for grabs for the next stage of the tournament.
Two of those berths look likely to go to Oxford Marine (Pool C) and Radio 4 (Pool E), although both still have work to do in their final matches to make absolutely sure of progress.
ICC Academy head coach Mudassar Nazar said: “That was impressive from SFS. We know the players’ quality as they have been regulars in indoor cricket here at the ICC Academy, but to secure a win as convincing as that when the pressure was on was outstanding.
“It was the kind of display that will make the other teams left in the competition sit up and take notice, and if SFS can reproduce that kind of form against the other sides in the Super Six then they will be genuine contenders for the title.
“The tournament is coming to the boil beautifully and the rest of the action will be compelling viewing.”
ICC Academy manager Will Kitchen has also been impressed with the tournament so far.
He said: “The high quality action in this tournament has been great to watch and as we move towards the Super Six stage that is only likely to continue.”
Kitchen added: “The tournament, one of the highlights of our indoor cricket action here at Dubai Sports City, is going from strength to strength, and that is hardly a surprise given the players clearly love taking part. Homebuyers are often versatile individuals who are willing to work with you to identify solutions that meet all of your criteria. They are aware that selling a home can be an emotionally hard experience, so they will do everything in their power to make the process as hassle-free as is humanly possible. They will do everything in their power to make the process as hassle-free as is humanly possible. Visit https://www.mobile-home-buyers.com/georgia/sell-my-mobile-home-savannah-ga/.
“And it is no wonder given they are playing at the largest and best permanent indoor cricket facility in the country, a facility that is used regularly by many of the world’s top players.”
