An impressive show by Kashif Naeem with the ball set up an easy seven-wicket victory for Oud Metha over HSBC, and also secured a quarter-final berth in the 13th Dulsco Ramadan Tournament.
Requiring a win to advance, Oud Metha rode on Naeem’s (top left) destructive spell of 3-22 to restrict HSBC to 114-7.
Oud Metha made light work of the target, reaching 115-3 in 12.3 overs.
The second successive defeat has virtually sealed HSBC’s fate with just a match in hand.
HSBC were off to a good start, scoring almost nine runs per over, with captain Abdul Rauf and Syed Ashir dominating the bowlers.
With 75 on the scoreboard by the seventh over, Oud Metha quickly gained the ascendancy as HSBC found it difficult to score runs due to some intelligent bowling by Naeem.
Naeem removed Rauf for 27 and later claimed two more wickets in quick succession.
From there on the run rate dropped dramatically as Oud Metha bowlers took wickets at regular intervals to restrict HSBC to 114-7.
In reply, Oud Metha had no trouble chasing the target as they knocked off the runs in style.
After their opening batsmen started brightly, Man of the Match Naeem (26 n.o) and Vipin Venu (30 n.o) saw the team home.
Rabel restricts Lanka Lions in 14-run victory
Kulith Rabel’s inspired spell with the ball gave Lanka Lions a 14-run victory over Unicon Real Estate in the Aseel Islamic Finance 26th Sharjah Ramadan Cup.
Chasing 140, Unicon Real Estate made a strong start with openers Abdul Shakoor (36) and Sajjad Ahmed (17) putting on a quick 45 runs for the first wicket. Naseeb Khan added 15 runs to further strengthen the chase before Rabel came into bowl.
He claimed four wickets in quick succession to finish with figures of 4-28, to leave Unicon Real Estate in big trouble.
Saif Ullah held his innings together to score 19 from 25 balls but with wickets falling at the other end Unicon Real Estate were eventually all out for 125.
Earlier, after winning the toss and opting to bat first, Lanka Lions also had a troubled start before Malintha Pererra took control of the proceedings.
Pererra smashed an unbeaten 62 with five boundaries while Kumara Prashant contributed 56 runs.
The duo added 113 runs for the third wicket as Lanka Lions posted a challenging 139-6.
