Niksy and Imran anchored United Challengers Club to a fine three-wicket victory against Mannai Club and the Division B title in the Qatar Airways Cricket Tournament at the West Bay Complex.
After being put into bat first in the final, Mannai Club found it hard to negotiate United Challengers’ bowlers. Satish, who picked two wickets for just 18 runs, Imran (1/22) and Nifraz (1/23) limited them to a modest 118 for five in 20 overs.
Gopal was the most successful Mannai Club batsman, hitting 33 off 37 balls. His knock was punctuated by a six and six fours.
Chameera and Manoj were other double-digit contributors. Both Chameera and Manoj hit 22-run knocks, with three boundaries each.
In reply, United Challengers suffered blows at regular interval. However, the small target did not pose many problems as Niksy smashed a match-high 35. His 23-ball blitz was studded with three sixes and as many boundaries. Imran cracked four hits to the fence on his way to a valuable 19 not out, which set up the victory in 17 overs.
Suresh (2/19), Akash (2/30) and Chameera (2/39) made a commendable attempt with the ball.
For his responsible and vital knock, Niksy was adjudged the Man of the Final.
In the Division C final, Phantom Club pulled off a dominant eight-wicket triumph against Texas Club to clinch the crown.
The decision of sending Texas Club in to bat first proved a boon with Biju and Azim ripping through the rival batting line-up. Biju returned four players back to the pavilion, while Azim scalped three.
As a result, Texas Club folded at just 111 in 16.1 overs. Marso got the maximum runs for his team – a run-a-ball 24, including five fours. Hamees hit 15 and B Mansoor scored a six-ball 13 with three boundaries.
Asif and Ashif made light of the Texas Club bowling and enabled their team to hit the target in the 14th over. Asif clobbered an unbeaten 56 off 38 balls. His splendid innings had two sixes and six boundaries. Ashif also raced to a 27-ball 41. He had seven hits to the rope, while one went beyond.
Biju earned the coveted Man of the Final award for his brilliant bowling.
Qatar Cricket Association officials Gul Khan Jadoon, head of domestic cricket, and Amin Ul Islam, head of School Boys’ Cricket, were the guests of honour and gave away the prizes.
BRIEF SCORES
*Mannai Club 118 for five in 20 overs (Gopal 33, Chameera 22, Manoj 21; Satish 2/18, Imran 1/22, Nifraz 1/23) lost to United Challengers 121 for seven in 16.5 overs (Niksy 35, Imran 19 not out; Suresh 2/19, Akash 2/30, Chameera 2/39) by three wickets. Man of the Final: Niksy of United Challengers
*Texas Club 111 all out in 16.1 overs (Marso 24, Hamees 15; Biju 4/22, Azim 3/14) lost to Phantom Club 114 for two in 13.2 overs (Asif 56 not out, Ashif 41; Shakir 1/10, Rasmy 1/35) by eight wickets. Man of the Final: Biju of Phantom Club
United Challengers Club registered a three-wicket victory over Mannai Club to win Division B. Right: Phantom Club beat Texas Club to lift the Division C title.
