Asian Club managed to edge Galfar Al Misnad Club by one wicket in a thrilling finish in a Premier Division match at the Qatar Airways Cricket Tournament.
Qatar Airways, the national carrier of the State of Qatar with a network of over 140 destinations, is the title sponsor for the annual tournament.
The event features 56 teams competing for top honors across three divisions. Over the years, the tournament has attained new heights and produced talented cricketers from Qatar’s diverse expatriate community.
The event launched the new season of the QCA activities, which had to discontinued due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Chasing a reasonable 270-run target in the 50-over-a-side fixture, Asian Club rallied hard to stay on the course.
Half-centuries by Mohamed Mirza and skipper Mohamed Tanveer enabled them to clinch the victory eventually with four overs to spare.
Mirza smashed a flurry of nine fours and a six to collect 60 in 49 balls, while Tanveer cracked two sixes and and as many fours in his 49-ball knock before falling for 50. Their teammates however dug in long enough to gather full points in the match.
Imran Ashraf, continuing his all-round show, bowled superbly and grabbed five wickets for 52 runs. However, his efforts proved futile in the end.
Earlier, Galfar Al Misnad, asked to bat first at the West Bay Grounds, posted 269 for seven in 50 overs after some inspirational batting by their skipper Mohamed Rizlan. Ashraf also came up with a fine half-century.
Rizlan took 90 balls to hit 77, which included 11 boundaries, while Ashraf got 52 in 59 deliveries with four shots to the rope. Faisal Khan, who knocked 32 with three fours and a six, and Sammy put up 29 in 25 balls with two fours and a six.  
Tanveer, who was adjudged the man of the match, had taken two wickets for 61 and Omran Hussain picked one wicket for 34.  

Brief scores
Premier Division
Asian Club beat Galfar Al Misnad Club by one wicket
Galfar Al Misnad: 269 for seven in 50 overs (Mohamed Rizlan 77, Imran Ashraf 52, Faisal Khan 32, Sammy 29; Mohamed Tanveer 2/61, Sammy 1/34)
Asian Club: 270 for nine in 46 overs (Mohamed Mirza 60, Mohamed Tanveer 50; Imran Ashraf 5/52)


Ton-up Khalid guides Baawan to big win

Khalid earned the distinction of being the first centurion of the 2021 season as his unbeaten 102 steered Baawan Club to an eight-wicket romp over Deccan Warriors in a Division C match in the Qatar Airways T20 Cricket Tournament.
The event features 56 teams competing for top honours across three divisions. Over the years, the tournament has attained new heights and produced talented cricketers from Qatar’s diverse expatriate community.
At the West Bay Grounds, Deccan Warriors set a challenging 170-run target, with Khaleel being the biggest contributor. His 39 in 22 balls with three sixes and three fours was the highlight of his team’s batting. Farhad had two wickets for 49.
Khalid’s entertaining 45-ball knock rushed Baawan Club to the victory in just 14.4 overs. He cracked seven massive sixes and 12 boundaries in his undefeated innings, besides being the worthy winner of the man of the match award.  Arun narrowly missed joining Khalid in the centurion bracket but his 99 not out spurred Phoenix Club to an emphatic 49-run victory against Fatehpur Club. He clobbered a six and 11 boundaries and followed it up with a two-wicket haul to restrict the rivals at 144. Mohit also impressed with his fast bowling and grabbed four for 20. Vikram Singh claimed a hat-trick to boost Desert Lions to an eight-wicket triumph over Super Stars, Ihtesham displayed his all-round skills (72 not out with four sixes and seven fours & three wickets) in Wombats Club’s easy eight-wicket win against Strikers Club and Ismail collected 60, one wicket, one catch and one run out to propel United Warriors to a comfortable 71-run victory over Vodafone.  
Arafat (41 with seven fours) and Sayed (35 with a six and four boundaries) shone for Prime Gladiators in a high-scoring match after Roni picked three for 30 against QIECO, Multiplex Club rode on Sandeep’s 53 and two wickets to beat QDB Fighters by three wickets and Samad’s four for 16 sent Al Shaheen Club crashing to a six-wicket defeat against Bangla Tigers. Sanjay returned four for 25 in his Nihal Eleven’s fine four-wicket victory over Dejawu Club, while Ismail also netted four scalps for Phantom Club, who cruised past Karwar Club by five wickets in other Division C matches.