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AUS, Skyline start with wins in varsity cricket

DUBAI - Defending champions American University of Sharjah (AUS) started their MSG Pride Cup Pan University Cricket Tournament campaign in style, defeating Royal College of RAK by 132 runs in the inaugural match at Global Refinish-Maxway ground, Sharjah, on Saturday.

In the second match of the tournament, which is organised by Maxtalent in a Twenty20 format, Skyline University College trounced Hariott Watt University by 56 runs.

AUS, who were put into bat first in their pool A match, posted a massive 220 for 3 wickets in 20 overs. Fahad Tariq topscored with 76 runs from 52 balls with 5 sixes and 4 boundary and was involved in a first wicket partnership of 110 runs with Pramod Rasitha, who made 37 (4x4) before retiring. Haris Shehzada followed next and hit a quick fire 64 of 34 balls. Sameer Chaudhary claimed 2 for 55 while Paul Jayan took the other wicket for 32 runs.

RAK found themselves struggling after the early loss of their opener Paul (20). They never recovered from there as the innings folded at 164. Only Ashik Syed Mohammed offered some resistance, making 23 (6x1, 4x1). Shoaib Ali took 2 for 15 while Fahad, Haris, Adnan and Nabeel claimed a wicket each. Fahad Tariq Raja of (AUS), who was the player-of-the-tournament last year, was named player-of-the-match.

In the second match of the day, Skyline University College scored 118 in 20 overs with Abdulla Azhar (47, 62b, 4x4,6x1) being the highest scorer. He was supported by Amir Iftikhar (16) and Zubair (12). Nuhman Ayaz Mirza was the pick of the bowlers, claiming 4 for 23. Sohaib Rehman scalped 3 for 15.

With an asking run-rate of less than 6 an over to win, Hariott Watt University messed it up with only their opener Akib Malik (16) and Nuhman (13) getting into double figures as they were bowled out for 62. Abdulla, who was later declared the player-of-the-match, also claimed 3 for 7 apart from his batting performance. Zubair took 3 for 8 to help his team start with a win. Athar Chowdary (2 for 14) and Zohaib Raza (1 for 14) also found success with the ball.

Earlier, administrator of the Emirates Cricket Board Mazhar Khan inaugurated the tournament and complimented the efforts of Sudhakar Shetty and his Maxtalent team for making the MSG event a very popular tournament.