Gemini Arabians fire warning shot

Dubai - It was the Gemini Arabians top four which fired up the Dubai International Cricket Stadium's 'Ring of Fire.'

In the lead-up to the brand new Masters Champions League, it was a step into the unknown and a path into unchartered territory. There were question marks on whether this band of old men could still put up a gig.
True, they were coming in with massive reputations, some who had stellar careers, while some who didn't. One couldn't doubt the skill sets but age and reflexes would have surely caught up with them. The mind might be willing but the body may not be on the same page. Also, some felt whether it would just be a bit of fun and games and played in a lighter vein.
But the moment Gemini Arabians captain Virender Sehwag nestled the first ball of the League into the stands at mid-wicket, all those thoughts were put to rest.
Like Sri Lankan ace Kumar Sangakkara said that none of the guys want to look bad. And so it was. Sehwag's first ball six showed the seriousness and the intent that these players have for the T20 League.
And the Gemini Arabians fired a warning shot by bludgeoning 234 for three wickets from their 20 overs against the Libra Legends before restricting the latter to 156 for 8 to win on a canter. Sehwag's side won comfortably by 78 runs.
It was the Gemini Arabians top four which fired up the Dubai International Cricket Stadium's 'Ring of Fire.'
After being told to make first use of the surface, openers Virender Sehwag and Richard Levi ran up 54 for the opening wicket with Sehwag scoring a 11-ball 21. Levi knocked 62 from 43 balls with four boundaries and three over the fence but it was Sangakkara who came up with a master class. The stylish southpaw may have called time on an illustrious career last year but his innings on the night begged the question why did he retire?
Sangakkara initially warmed up before breaking loose. And it was a ruthless and brutal. Sanga was on song, smacking the bowlers all over the park. The 38-year-old deserved a 100 but fell 14 short of it, sending Ryan ten Doeschate down Ian Butler's throat at long off. By then, Sanga had clubbed an astonishing seven sixes and six boundaries from 43 deliveries for his 86. Australian Brad Hodge then inflicted more damage on the Libra Legends with the 41-year-old firing a mind-boggling and unbeaten 46 from 19 deliveries with four sixes and two boundaries.
And the Libra Legends were weighed down by the imposing target and were left floundering on 43 for four with captain Jacques Kallis gone early on for 14 before Ryan ten Doeschate and Sean Ervine embarked on damage control. The duo brought their side level with the Gemini Arabians at the halfway mark but the required run rate was way too high and they also didn't have enough wickets in hand. The Netherlands' Doeschate scored a fighting 53 from 37 balls with three boundaries and a six but all it could do was only delay the inevitable.
New Zealand quick Kyle Mills, Pakistan pacer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Sri Lankan legend Muttiah Muralitharan snapped up two wickets apiece.