Sharjah clinch Rathath Cup after beating Alubond Tigers

Sharjah - Waqas' half century helps team to six-wicket win

A power-packed half century from Waqas Ahmed ensured Sharjah Cricket Club emerge champions of the 29th Ramadan Rathath MF Cup 2017.

In the final at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Club produced a dominating performance as they eased past Alubond Tigers by six wickets.

Needing 155 to win, Sharjah Cricket Club got off to a rollicking start with Waqas coming up with a scintillating performance with the bat. After the first over from Sultan Ahmed saw just 12 runs being scored, came the thunderstorm. Waqas send the first ball packing over the ropes before Sheraz Ahmed bowled a wide.

The next four balls also saw the maximum runs come off it before Waqas Ahmed smashed another boundary to achieve a brilliant half century in only 13 deliveries.

He continued the assault as he achieved 76 from only 22 deliveries peppered with five boundaries and nine sixes.

Chirag Suri and Basil Bin AH shared an unbroken 70-run stand for the fifth wicket to guide Sharjah Cricket Club past the winning score in only 17 overs.

While Chirag Suri scored a steady 39-ball 30 not out including a boundary and a six, Basil Bin hit an unbeaten 43 from 34 deliveries studded with four boundaries and two sixes.

For Alubond Tigers, Sultan Ahmed and Asif Mumtaz claimed two wickets each.

Earlier asked to bat first, Alubond Tigers had a relatively strong start with openers Mohammad Qasim (12) and Wajahat Butt (30) shared 47 runs for the first wicket.

Rinku Kumar smashed a 29-ball 39 peppered with a boundary and three sixes while Amjad Gul fired a 17-ball 40 with the help of two fours and four sixes as Alubond Tigers posted 154 for nine in 20 overs.

Ahmed Raza was the most successful bowler for Sharjah Cricket Club picking three wickets while Muhammad Shahzad Manna, Imran Haider and Shaiman Anwar all picked two wickets each.