Deira Daredevils’ Moaz Dossa smashed the winning runs to condemn JSSIS Super Kings to their first defeat and throw Dubai Under-13s Group Two wide open in the ADIB NSL.
Chasing 65 at Skyline University after heroic bowling from Jash Giyanani’s three wickets, Deira Daredevils looked on course to reach the target with ease.
But JSSIS Super Kings took two wickets in the 11th over to leave the tie evenly poised.
“I didn’t want to lose my wicket but at the same time I wanted to be the hero,” said Dossa. “In my first two or three balls, my heart was just pumping but then I released by bat freely and connected very well.”
In the leadup to the game, the boys were in the pool as part of their training and Deira Daredevils coach Jay Tostevin insists that will now stay.
“We lost last week and I felt our boys were quite tired and couldn’t get the runs,” he said.
“So I put them on a swimming session at lunchtime and it’s had really a good effect so far. So that will continue.”
IHS Knights strengthened their grip at the top with a comfortable 10-wicket win. Naitik Rattesar 3-8 saw TMS Titans restricted to 57-6, but C. Sowrabh Satish (18) and Kushal Chiluka (13) saw them home in seven overs.
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Elsewhere, Ebrahim Maqsood delivered a strong all-round display to guide GOOIS to a nine-wicket victory over WIS Wizards.
Neelesh Balla, stand-out bowler with figures of 3-12, combined well with Maqsood, who took two scalps and their efforts saw WIS Wizards reach 57-7. GOOIS recovered from an early wicket but Maqsood (20) and Cherian George (9) hit the
required runs.
It means Deira Daredevils, JSSIS Super Kings, IHS Knights and GOOIS are all locked in a four-way battle for the top two qualification spots with six points each and two games remaining.
In the U-15s group, Harshit Raj played a captain’s knock, scoring 52 as DIA Wolves got back to winning ways. Their second group triumph came courtesy of a 61-run win over DC Sixers.
With his team two down, the batsman remained composed at the crease, reaching his half-century in 36 balls, hitting four boundaries and four maximums as DIA Wolves scored 140-5.
DC Sixers made a brave attempt in their chase and despite Alexander Dare’s top-score of 12, they fell short reaching 79-7.
It was the first NSL half-century for Raj but has urged his batsmen to up their game for the remainder of this season.
“It feels really good that my knock made the difference,” said the 15-year-old.
“We lost two wickets and there was pressure. But I went in with a positive mind and played brilliantly. It was a game we had to win after losing last week. Now we need to build on this victory but our batsmen need to step up their game.”
In the other U-15s Group Two game, IHS Knights claimed an eight-run win over TMS Titans, while Chethiya Dashan helped himself to three wickets and scored five runs as AUS Stallions defeated WIS Wizards by seven wickets.
In the U-13s Dubai Group One, defending champions Modern Heros extended their winning streak. Varun Nayanar (27) and Sidharth Tugnait (7) helped Heros beat Winchester Cobras by nine wickets.
DPS Falcons took advantage of Cobras’ loss as unbeaten knocks from Harsh Bobade (37) and Srinivas Gopinath (19) clinched the team’s third win. They now sit third behind Cobras tied on nine points.
In the U-15s category, Tushar Tugnait was in fine form with the bat as his half-century (four sixes, and four fours) guided Modern Heros to a 10-wicket triumph over Winchester Cobras.
JC Heat tasted victory for the first time this season. Set 67 against Repton Royals, Rohan Mariadason (31) hit four boundaries in his 19-ball unbeaten knock.
