Khaleel’s electrifying 45-ball 78 was backed up well by bowlers Musawir and Naveed, setting up a splendid nine-run triumph for Khetco against City Exchange in the semi-finals of the Qatar Airways Twenty20 Cricket Tournament for Division A teams.
Qatar Airways, one of the youngest airlines in the world with a strong presence in all six continents, is the sponsor of the tournament and has been supporting the Qatar Cricket Association in the development of the game in the country.
After being put into bat first, Khetco piled up a stiff 182 for eight in 20 overs. Khaleel batted solidly to lay the base of his team’s total. He smashed five sixes and seven boundaries to compile 78. Buhari (three for 30) and Rayees grabbed five wickets to be the most successful City Exchange bowlers.
City Exchange put up a spirited chase, which was spearheaded by Jackson. He cracked 61 off just 31 balls, hitting two sixes and seven boundaries. Faisal chipped in 22 with three fours in 19 balls. However, Musawir and Naveed struck vital blows to have the rivals falling short of the target narrowly.
Musawir grabbed three wickets for 24 in four overs and Naveed scalped two players for 31. Khaleel was named the Man of the Match for his fine half-century and one stumping.
In the final, Khetco will clash with United Challengers, who were guided to a four-wicket win over Regal Strikers by Farhan and Ahnaf with 17 balls to spare.
Ajay’s 59 off 36 balls with three sixes and four boundaries lifted Regal Strikers to a fighting 150 for nine in 20 overs. Aamin added 39 in 28 deliveries, blasting four sixes and two fours. Farhan, who got four scalps for 31 runs in four overs, and Niksy (two for 19 in three overs) managed to restrict the opponents.
United Challengers batted steadily and secured the win in 17.1 overs as Ahnaf smashed a six and six boundaries in his fine 27-ball 41. Imran contributed 18 not out, including a six and a four, to drive the chase, despite five wickets by Sulah (three for 33) and Shamsher (two for 24).
Farhan was adjudged the Man of the Match for his four-wicket haul and a catch.
Brief scores
Khetco beat City Exchange by nine runs
Khetco: 182 for eight in 20 overs (Khaleel 78 in 45 balls, Buhari 3/30, Rayees 2/34)
City Exchange: 173 for nine in 20 overs (Jackson 61 in 31 balls, Faisal 22 in 19 balls, Musawir 3/24, Naveed 2/31)
Man of the Match: Khaleel of Khetco for 78 runs and one stumping.
United Challengers beat Regal Strikers by four wickets
Regal Strikers: 150 for nine in 20 overs (Ajay 56 in 36 balls, Aamin 39 in 28 balls, Farhan 4/31, Niksy 2/19)
United Challengers: 153 for six in 17.1 overs (Ahnaf 41 in 27 balls, Imran 18 in 12 balls, Sulah 3/33, Shamsher 2/24)
Man of the Match: Farhan of United Challengers for four wickets.
Farhan of United Challengers and Khaleel of Khetco
