A late half century from Mohammad Naveed was the highlight of the final as UBL clinched the 42nd Bukhatir League Cricket Tournament 2016 title by a comfortable margin at the Sharjah International Stadium.
The tournament, organised by Sharjah Cricket Council, was attended by dignitaries as Sharjah Cricket Council vice chairman Mr Waleed Bukhatir gave away the trophy to UBL team on Thursday.
It was Naveed’s innings that turned the tables for UBL. His quick-fire 34-ball 65 supported by four hits to the fence and seven over it helped his team fight back from a difficult situation as UBL posted a challenging 223 before being all out in 46.5 overs.
Danube Lions began their chase in earnest as openers Gulraiz Sadaf (32, 53b, 1×4, 2×6) and Asif Iqbal (26, 37, 4×4) wiped out a crucial 59 runs from the target during their opening partnership.
But thereafter wickets kept falling at regular intervals with none of the batsmen showing any intent.
It would have been all over for Danube Lions much earlier than expected but for a late fighting knock of 35 off just 26 deliveries from Sami Naizi, who only could manage to delay the inevitable as the Lions folded up for just 147 in 37.4 overs.
