Gemini Arabians were put into bat and posted a massive 234 for three in their allotted 20 overs and in response Libra Legends could post only 156
The hero of the Gemini win was the pair of Kumar Sangakkara (86: 43b, 6×4, 7×6) and opener Richard Levi (62: 43b, 4×4, 3×6). Together the duo added 84 runs for the second wicket, after their skipper Virender Sehwag (21) got the tournament off to a rollicking start with a six off the first ball.
Levi was the first to take off after the Sehwag blitz and wowed the crowds with his big hitting prowess. Then it was the Sangakkara show as the Gemini Arabians moved rapidly to a massive total. Sangakkara was particularly severe on anything short and used all his ability to dismiss the loose deliveries out of sight. He had come off a recent spell with the Big Bash League (BBL). He started off slowly, but then he built momentum, got caught off a no-ball, but then there was no looking back.
Once Levi left and Sangakkara got out, it was the turn of the Victorian Brad Hodge to strike big as he smashed an unbeaten 46 off 19 deliveries with two boundaries and four sixes to provide a great final flourish.
Congratulations to @KumarSanga2, the #OxigenMOTM ?????? @oxigenwallet #MCL2020 pic.twitter.com/N0UyfmI1Cq
— MCL 2020 (@MCL2020UAE) January 28, 2016In their reply, Libra Legends struggled to get going as they lost wickets at regular intervals. They were soon 43 for four with New Zealand’s opening bowler Kyle Mills making regular strikes. Then it was down to the magic of Muttiah Muralitharan, who showed that he had not lost a bit of his magic. He spun Gemini Arabians into control.
Former Netherlands all-rounder Ryan ten Doeschate played a lone hand for defiance for Libra Legends, but it was too little too late.
Earlier, the tournament got off to a grand opening ceremony. It featured all the six captains including Adam Gilchrist (Sagittarius Strikers), Paul Collingwood (Capricorn Commanders), Brian Lara (Leo Lions), Graeme Smith (Virgo Super Kings), apart from Jacques Kallis (Libra Legends) and Sehwag (Gemini Arabians). All six captains signed the pledge of spirit of cricket.
The guest of honour for the evening was Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Noted bollywood music composers Sajid-Wajid performed the anthem song of the tournament and got the crowds engaged with their performance. Speeches by Oxigen MCL chairman Zafar Shah and CEO Zarah Shah were the other notable moments of the opening ceremony.
