Danube Tigers post easy victory past Seven Seas

Shahid and Naeem’s 134-run partnership sets up team’s 7-wkt win

Danube Tigers beat Seven Seas Strikers by seven wickets in the Bukhatir League Division ‘A’ match. — Supplied photo

Danube Tigers began their campaign on a high defeating Seven Seas Strikers CC by a comfortable seven wickets in the Group A match of the 40th Bukhatir League ‘A’ Division Tournament in association with Interface Transworld. The tournament is being organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council.

After restricting Seven Seas to only 194 thanks to an exceptional bowling from Emmad Ali, Danube Tigers cruised to an easy victory in just 26.5 overs after Shahid Siddique and Naeem Aslam struck impressive half centuries.

Seven Seas were quick to decide to bat first after winning the toss at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium as openers Waqas Khan (33) and Ahmed Raza (16) shared an important 51 runs for the first wicket.

Amjad Gujjer hit a notable 17 but the sudden fall of wickets in the middle put Seven Seas in the back seat.

When it looked Seven Seas were headed to a disappointing total, Salman Afzal emerged the saviour to hit four boundaries and as many sixes to secure a fine 75 off 84 balls. Mohammad Asif gave him company scoring a 29-ball 18 including two boundaries before Danube Tigers’ Emmad struck twice again lower down the order to finish with a four-wicket haul to restrict Seven Seas to 194 all out.

In reply, Asif Iqbal provided a quick start smashing a 16-ball 22 including four boundaries before Shahid and Naeem completely dominated the proceedings to take Danube Tigers closer to the target.

The duo shared a 134-run partnership for the second wicket with Shahid scoring 65 from 68 deliveries with six boundaries and two over it while Naeem scoring a 58-ball 64 studded with six boundaries and two sixes. Imran Mohammad’s entertaining knock provided the final touches firing a 17-ball 32 as Danube Tigers overhauled the target in just the 27th over.