PAK Eagles Under-15s held their nerve to beat Abu Dhabi Indian School by seven runs and booked their spot in the quarter-finals of Sport360° National School League.
It was a game of huge significance in the last group stage round; the winners sealing a knockout berth while the losers having to go into the play-offs. With a perfect record so far for both teams and plenty at stake, it proved to be an entertaining encounter.
Batting first at the Nursery Ovals by Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, PAK Eagles posted 151-7 in their 20 overs. Afzal Khan was his side’s top scorer with 43 runs, while Abhishek Prakash claimed two wickets. In reply, Abu Dhabi Indian School were 34-2 after 4.3 overs.
But a remarkable third-wicket partnership of 97 thanks to Sahil Sunil Haniani (46) and Ayan Ahmed (37) gave them hope.
With 14 needed of 12 deliveries, the pressure was on both sides.
PAK Eagles gained the upper hand as Jamaluddin dismissed Ahmed in the 18.3 over but despite a brave effort from Prakash (8 not out) and Mohammed Azzan (1 not out ), Abu Dhabi Indian School could only post 144-4. PAK Eagles’ captain Khan was relieved to win the close match.
He said: “It was a really tough match and we’re just happy to have won this match and qualify automatically for the next stage.
“We still need to work hard on our fielding and batting but I am confident we can win the trophy.”
Khan’s opposite number Ahmed was disappointed with the defeat.
He said: “It feels really frustrating. I’m very sad and it was easily our game to win but we had too many dot balls and it cost us the game.”
In the other under-15 encounter, Efians Army beat ISC Abu Dhabi Unicorns by 41 runs. Efians Army were restricted to 134-8 thanks to Mohammad Fakhir’s three wickets.
Chasing, ISC Abu Dhabi Unicorns found Masab Munawar too hot to handle as the all-rounder finished with figures of 3-25 as the Unicorns were all out for 93. Munawar’s efforts earned him the man of the match award and he couldn’t be happier.
He said: “I’d like to thank my coach and my team-mates who all played very well. Our total was too tough for them to chase and I’m very happy my contribution helped us win.”
A few hours earlier, Efians Army’s under-13 team booked their play-off spot with a 40-run win over Cambridge Panthers.
Fazal Shahid was in top form with the bat, finding the boundary 12 times before being removed on 75 by Basil Khan.
Shahid’s innings did much of the damage as Efians posted 149-1 in their 15 overs. Cambridge Panthers never got going with the bat.
They were restricted to 109-7, thanks to Ishit Patel’s 3-17.
