Alubond ease past Multiplex in record chase to enter final

Amjad Gul (right) of Alubond Tigers won the man-of-the-match award.

Four half centuries were scored as Alubond Tigers made light work of the chase in a high-scoring match against Multiplex International to enter the final of the One Stop Tourism 43rd Bukhatir Premier League organized by the Sharjah Cricket Council.
In the final, Alubond Tigers will take on UBL.
Over 700 runs were scored in the semifinals as Alubond Tigers secured a comfortable seven-wicket victory to post a record highest successful run chase at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Chasing an imposing target of 359, Alubond Tigers lost Faizan Asif early for just 13 runs. But his partnership with Mohammad Qasim for the first six overs fetched 48 runs.
Qasim was joined by Abdul Shakoor Sher and the duo never looked under any pressure as they toyed with Multiplex International bowlers with ease to put a 119-run partnership. Abdul departed having made a fine 50-ball 53 including six boundaries and a six.
Qasim too did not last long as he was out on 88 from 78 balls with the help of eight boundaries and three sixes.
At 187 for three, it was still a long journey to cover for Alubond Tigers and CP Rizwan and Amjad Gul without any further hiccups achieved the target. Their association saw them put an unbroken 172 runs for the fourth wicket as Alubond Tigers reached 359 for three in 46.5 overs.
Rizwan remained 85 not out from only 74 balls laced with nine hits to the fence and one over it, Amjad Gul was the aggressive among the two powering to a superb unbeaten 95 from 64 deliveries studded with six fours and seven boundaries.
Earlier winning the toss and choosing to bat first, Multiplex made a powerful start with openers Balwinder Singh and Sapandeep Singh sharing a brilliant 148 runs for the first wicket. Balwinder Singh's amazing 73 from 68 balls came to an end in 22nd over but his interesting knock saw no boundaries but nine sixes.
Sapandeep Singh continued to score at will as he reached a superb century before he shared another fruitful 88-run partnership with Saleem A Raheem (37, 46b, 1x4, 2x6).
Sapandeep Singh finally fell at 114 from 108 deliveries containing 13 boundaries and two sixes.
A late knock from Abdul Shakoor who hammered a 36-ball 67 including three fours and five sixes ensured Multiplex International amassed 358 for eight in 50 overs.
For Alubond Tigers, Sharif Asad Ullah claimed three wickets while Sultan Ahmed and Nasir Aziz picked two each.
Brief scores: Alubond Tigers bt Multiplex International by 7 wickets. Multiplex International: 358/8 in 50 overs (Balwinder Singh 73, Sapandeep Singh 114, Saleem A Raheem 37, Abdul Shakoor 67; Sharif Asad Ullah 3/56, Sultan Ahmed 2/74, Nasir Aziz 2/58). Alubond Tigers: 359/3 in 46.4 overs (Mohammad Qasim 88, Abdul Shakoor Sher 53, CP Rizwan 85 not out, Amjad Gul 95 not out). Man of the match: Amjad Gul.