Muralitharan does the star turn

Dubai - Old fox bowls Gemini Arabians to eight-wicket victory against Leo Lions in Dubai

The old fox was back again. Spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan has bamboozled some of the best batsmen in the world on any surface, be it at his fortress in the subcontinent as well as overseas, close to two decades.
But Saturday must have felt a lot sweeter for the magician. Murali has had the measure of almost all he has played against, except for one man - Brian Charles Lara.
For Murali, it was the other way round when it came to the great West Indian. Lara was one batsman whom Murali probably failed to conquer. But at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, that was one box he could finally tick off.
Having had Brendan Taylor leg before, the stage was set for the great Lara to come in and reignite a failing Leo Lions innings at 50 for 3.
But Lara failed to read a brilliant delivery and went for a defensive and hesitant prod. The stylish left-hander edged and captain Virender Sehwag took a brilliant one-handed diving catch at slip. Murali had finally foxed him. The wide smile was back.
James Franklin did deny Murali a hat trick but the Leo Lions couldn't deny the Gemini Arabians from notching their second win on the bounce in the Masters Champions League.
Sehwag's crack outfit won the fixture by eight wickets and became the only side so far in the competition to win while chasing.
Muralitharan ended up with four wickets and though Pakistan's Saqlain Mushtaq didn't take any, he provided able support.
Kumar Sangakkara continued his ominous form with an unbeaten and run-a-ball 41. But this time, Sanga was overshadowed by Brad Hodge, who top scored with an unbeaten 65.
Sanga, though, wouldn't have minded that one bit as he played the perfect foil to the Australian. Gemini Arabians knocked off the runs with two overs to spare.
Lara opted to go in first but the Leo Lions found themselves in trouble with the openers Hamish Marshall and Robin Peterson gone with 24 on the board. Murali then accounted for Taylor and Lara after which Gibbs was dismissed by some great team work between South Africans Richard Levi and Justin Kemp.
Gibbs straight drove Murali and Richard Levi snapped it up but found himself almost going over the ropes. Levi, though showed good presence of mind and threw it in and Kemp, who was backing up, lapped it up.
Franklin and Scott Stryis repaired the damage with 35 and 32 respectively but 132 looked under par on such a strip and ground. Openers Sehwag and Levi left early but Sanga and Hodge stood their ground.
james@khaleejtimes.com