AGE Group beat Bhatkal to enter Dulsco final

DUBAI: AGEGroup earned the right to meet Active IT Distribution in the final of the 9thDulsco Ramadan Cricket Tournament Uniforge Bhatkal CC by 73 runs in the semi-finals played at Zabeel Park Dubai.

The 20-over tournament is being organized by Dulsco SC in association with the Dubai Municipality and is being played under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council.

Electing to bat first after winning the toss, AGEGroup piled up 208 for the loss of four wickets. Opener Abdul Shakoor scored 79 from 47 balls with the help of four sixes before he was caught off the bowling of Sandeep.

The other opener Mohammed Azeem fell at 41 with his individual contribution of 10 runs in the fifth over. AGEGroup lost three wickets for the addition of 10 runs.

After Shakoor departed, Amjad Khan and Ibrahim Malik turned the tide in favour of AGEGroup putting on 60 runs for an unbroken fifth wicket partnership.

Amjad was not out on 53 made from 35 deliveries and reached the fence four times and over it twice. Malik scored a breezy 48 from 17 deliveries and belted five towering sixes and two boundaries as AGEGroup set up a target of 209 for Bhatkal for a place in the final. Extras were 15 as Masood and Sandeep picked up one wicket each.

Needing a run rate of 10.4 per over, Bhatkal could manage only 184 runs losing nine wickets.

Openers A Rahman and Mohd Omar scored 24 each and put on 41 runs for the first wicket. But after both the openers departed Bhatkal batsmen fumbled against the AGEGroup's attack and lost wickets regularly. Mukhtar made 24 and Qadar 19 offered some help but could not reach the target as Bhatkal fell short by 73 runs in the end.

Irfan Haider and Irfan Arif bagged three wickets each whilst conceding 38 and nine runs respectively. Zuhair bagged two for 36 while Faras picked up one for 41.

Abdul Shakoor of AGEGroup was named the man of the match.

The final between Age Group and Active IT Dsitribution will be played on Saturday, Sept.25 at Zabeel Park Cricket Grounds, Dubai at 6.15 pm.

Brief scores

AGEGroup beat Uniforge Bhatkal CC by 73 runs.

AGEGroup 208 for 4 (Abdul Shakoor 79, Amjad Khan 53* Ibrahim Malik 48*, Mohd Azeem 10). Bhatkal CC 184 for 9 (A Rahman 24, M Omar 24, Mukhtar 24, Qadar 19, Sameer N 10; Irfan Arif 3 for 9, Irfan Arif 3 for 38, Zuhair 2/ 36). Man of the match: Abdul Shakoor of AGEGroup.

Final: AGEGroup vs Active IT Distribution on Saturday, Sept. 25 at Zabeel Park Dubai, 6.15 pm

Umpires; Bahadur Khan and Parvez Shaikh. Match Referee; James Anthony