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ECB Blues meet NMC in Bukhatir League final

sharjah — ECB Blues, aided by inspired bowling performances by Arfan Haider and Mohammed Tauqir, defeated Ibsons Group by seven wickets to move into the final of the Bukhatir League ‘A’ Division Tournament, organized by the Sharjah Cricket Council, at the Sharjah stadium on Tuesday night.

ECB Blues will take on New Medical Centre (NMC) in the final.

Tauqir, who will lead the UAE team during their forthcoming tour of Kenya, and Haider took four wickets each as ECB Blues seized the early initiative, restricting Ibsons CC to a modest 153. Experienced Baber Malik (59 off 61 balls with four fours and four sixes) held the Ibsons inning together, but he lacked support from the other end.

Tauqir conceded just 30 runs for his four wickets while Haider gave away only 26 for his haul of 4 wickets in their respective spell never allowing Ibsons CC batsmen to settle down to any rhythm.

ECB Blues, a side which comprise UAE hopefuls, raced to victory with ease in 26.3 overs. Faisal (40 not out off 34 balls with three fours and two sixes) and Abdul Rehman (40 off as many balls) led their batting charge while Saqib Shah (37 off 42 balls) and Mehroz (30 off 40 balls) maintained the tempo of the innings with some solid batting.

Brief scores: ECB Blues Ibsons Group by seven wickets: Ibsons Group 153 all out in 35 overs (Baber Malik 59, Ayub Inayat 15; Arfan Haider 4-26, Mohammed Tauqir 4-30) ECB Blues 156 for three in 26.3 overs (Faisal 40 not out, Abdul Rehman 40, Saqib Shah 37, Mehroz 30). Man-of-the-match: Mohammed Tauqir of ECB Blues. Umpires: Tariq Butt and Arshad Ansari.