Hosts UAE win in style

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Hosts UAE win in style

Defending champions UAE and Oman began their campaigns in the third Gulf Cup, hosted by the Sharjah Cricket Council, with convincing victories over their respective opponents at the Sharjah stadium on Thursday night, a press release said.

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Published: Sun 17 Jun 2012, 12:52 AM

Last updated: Fri 3 Apr 2015, 12:07 AM

Aided by a fine all-round performance by former UAE captain Saeed Al Saffar UAE defeated Saudi Arabia by 39 runs while Oman were too good for Kuwait, winning the one-sided match by a huge 162-run margin.

Oman wasted no time in seizing the early initiative when the last year’s runners-up posted a massive 224 for four. Sufyan Mahmood led their blistering batting charge, hammering 94 off just 42 balls with six fours and seven sixes.

He was well assisted by Rafeeq Mohammed who chipped in with 48 off 35 balls which included four fours and one six. Together, they put on 142 runs for the fourth wicket which was the major highlight of the match.

Tariq Beidas was the most economical of Kuwait bowlers, conceding 33 runs for his one wicket.

Kuwait, in reply, were restricted to just 62 for seven with only two of their batsmen — Taha Bastaki (17) and Mahmood Bastaki (16 not out) — reaching the double figure mark. Qais bin Khalid was the pick of Oman bowlers, taking two wickets for just 14 runs.

The other match between UAE and Saudi Arabia did produce some competition, but the hosts were never seriously challenged.

UAE made a solid start to their innings with their openers Mohamed Taquir (37 off 22 balls with six fours and one six) and Saeed Al Saffar (54) contributing 70 runs. Al Saffar, the most aggressive of the two, clubbed five fours and two sixes in his 34-balls innings. Alawi Al Braik (25 off 24 balls) and Fahad Al Hashemi (37 off 19 balls with two fours and two sixes) further consolidated the gains as UAE did well to post 182 for six. Waleed Shaikh was the most successful Saudi bowler, picking up three wickets for 39 runs.

Saudi Arabia, in reply, were bowled out for 143 despite a solid innings of 51 by Ahmed Saad, who hit three fours and four sixes during his 40-ball stay at the crease. UAE opening bowler Fahad Al Hashemi claimed three wickets for 24 runs while man of the match Al Saffar rounded off a great all-round performance by taking two wickets for 25 runs.

Brief scores

Oman beat Kuwait by 162 runs: Oman 224 for four (Sufyan Mahmood 94, Rafeeq Mohammed 48, Mohsin Gul Baig 29) Kuwait 62 for seven (Taha Bastaki 17, Mahmood Bastaki 16 not out; Qais bin Khalid 2-14). Man of the match: Sufyan Mahmood. Umpires: Iftikhat Ali and Syed Shabbir Ali.

UAE beat Saudi Arabia by 39 runs: UAE 182 for six (Mohamed Taquir 22, Saeed Al Saffare 54, Alawi Al Braik 25, Fahad Al Hashemi 37; Waleed Shaikh 3-39) Saudi Arabia 143 all out (Abbas Saad 22, Ahmed Saad 51, Abdul Mohsin 20; Fahad Al Hashmi 3-24, Saeed Al Saffar 2-25). Man of the match: Saeed Al Saffar. Umpires: Mohsin Butt and Syed Shabbir Ali.


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