Yogi Group and UBL move into last four

UBL edged past Multiplex International. — Supplied photo

Yogi Group and United Bank Limited registered contrasting victories to enter the semi-finals of the Aseel Islamic Finance 26^th Sharjah Ramadan Cup 2014 Twenty20 cricket tournament. The tournament is organized by the Sharjah Cricket Council.

Yogi Group thumped Phoenix Medicine by 70 runs, while UBL sneaked past Multiplex International by a close six runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

In the first quarter-finals, Phoenix Medicine’s decision to bowl first after winning the toss was justified when Mohammad Azhar bowled a beauty of a spell to scalp six wickets during his four overs conceding just nine runs. But thanks to good knocks from Shahzad Manna (21, 12b, 3x4, 1x6) and Avdoot Amonkar (27, 17b, 2x4, 2x6), Yogi Group still managed to recover from a worrying situation. UAE player Swapnil Patil hit a patient unbeaten 32 from 40 deliveries helped by a boundary and last batsmen Hassan Ali scored two sixes and a boundary during his quickfire 19 from seven balls as Yogi Group pushed themselves hard to reach 141 for nine in 20 overs. Asif Mumtaz was the other bowler who did well for Phoenix Medicine collecting two wickets.

Chasing a relatively easier target, Phoenix Medicine made a terrible start losing four wickets for just 20 runs.

Mohammad Ramees and Hassan Ali accounted for two each as both the openers Hafeez Kaleem and Ayoub Inayat failed to open their accounts.

With Phoenix Medicine clearly in the backseat it became difficult for the ensuing batsmen to recover from the early shock losing wickets at regular intervals before Salman Faris cleaned up the tail to pocket three wickets in his 2.2 overs.

Only Mohammad Qassim (17, 24b) and Mohammad Azhar (13) offered some resistance but they could only delay the inevitable as Phoenix Medicine were shot out for 71 in 15.2 overs.

Shahzad Manna also played his part to pick up two wickets for the winners.

In the other quarter-final, UBL, batting first, did not mind the shaky start as Ahmed Soukat and Mohammad Shakir milked 100 runs for the third wicket as UBL looked good to post a fine total.

While Soukat was aggressive smashing 64 from 55 deliveries aided by eight boundaries and two sixes, Shakir scored run-a-ball 39 consisting of three hits to the fence and one over it.