Dheeraj Devarajan was the hero for GEMS Modern Academy, smashing a last-ball boundary in a one-wicket victory over Efians Army to advance to the Under-13 final of the Sport360 National School League.
It was a semi-final that had everything – a hat-trick, two half-centuries, late wickets and run-outs, going down as the most thrilling match of NSL so far.
Chasing 113 at the ICC Academy in Dubai, GEMS looked on course to win with opener Swabhanu Khosla smashing a half-century (65 off 39 balls, seven fours and two sixes).
But Abu Dhabi’s Efians Army came back into the game thanks to a hat-trick from Yaasir Akberali as his dismissals, which included Khosla, reduced GEMS from 100-3 to 100-5 in the 12th over.
In the last over, GEMS again lost three batsmen in successive balls, with two run-outs and captain Aymon Maab clinching one wicket. And Efians sensed victory when Rudra Mahadev (1) was run-out in the penultimate ball for GEMS’ ninth wicket.
At that point, the momentum was with Efians, who needed to avoid conceding a boundary off the last ball as players, teams, coaches and fans were literally on their toes. But Devarajan kept his nerve and smashed the ball past the ropes.
Describing on what was going through his mind at the crease, he said: “I felt I had to do something for my team because my coach (Shafiq Ahmed) did a lot for me. It was about just hitting the ball, score the runs and don’t let the pressure get at you.”
Earlier, Efians Army recovered from 6-2 to post 113-4 in their allotted 15 overs thanks to a superb 62-run knock from Fazal Shahid. His inning included six boundaries and he top-scored for his team. Shahid and all-rounder Ishit Patil (25) were the only batsmen to reach double figures for their team.
Ibrar Hussain half ton bring Falcons down to earth
Ibrar Hussain again showed his potential with the bat, smashing an impressive half-century to help PAK Hawks Sharjah reach the Under-13 final at the expense of DPS Falcons.
Hussain smashed three sixes and four boundaries in his 66-run knock as Dubai’s DPS Falcons fell short by 32 runs chasing 135.
The Hawks will now take on GEMS Modern Academy for the title clash at the ICC Academy in Dubai on February 14.
PAK Hawks captain M Qasim Suleman, who finished with figures of 2-20, said the team stuck to their game plane.
The all-rounder said: “It was our strategy to win the toss and elect to bat and that happened. The team worked really hard; we lost some early wickets but it didn’t matter. Hussain played an awesome innings.”
DPS Falcons coach Prosanta Chanda said: “Our fielding was not up to the mark and their boy (Ibrar Hussain) was the difference. We missed some opportunities.”
After electing to bat, Hawks were 44-3 after just 5.4 overs. But Hussain came to the crease and took charge of the innings.
He and Syed Ahmed were involved in a 60-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the latter was dismissed by Mohit Gupta for 12.
Hussain continued to score freely until the Falcons removed the dangerman, all-rounder Aryan Lakra holding on to a catch off the bowling of Harsh Bobade.
Falcons took two further wickets to restrict the Hawks to 135-7.
In reply, Falcons lost the in-form Lakra for just seven runs, stumped by Abdullah Qayum.
The Dubai outfit crossed the 50-run mark before Vivek Aditya was stumped in the eighth over. The Hawks grew in confidence as the match went on while Falcons struggled to get the runs.
Milind Dogra and Rajansh gave Falcons some hope with a 44-run partnership, but both departed in successive overs; Rajansh (9) was run-out followed by Dogra (40), who was Suleman’s second victim, before the Hawks eventually wrapped up victory.
