Ali helps Fly Emirates win over Yogi Group
Cracks 85 runs from 64 balls with ten boundaries and two sixes to lift TNT Arabian Cricket League
Dubai: UAE opening batsman Arshad Ali cracked a brilliant 85 to steer Fly Emirates to an exciting three-wicket win over Yogi Group in the final of the TNT Arabian Cricket League at the International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Cricket Academy ground on Thursday night.
It was a sweet revenge for Emirates, who had lost to Yogi Group in the final of the Gulf Super Sixes tournament earlier this month.
Ali, who was thrashed in the Super Sixes for 29 runs in one over by Yogi Group batsmen, emerged as the hero of Emirates' exciting win on Thursday. His 85 runs came off 64 balls, studded with ten boundaries and two sixes to ensure the victory with two balls to spare.
Speaking to Gulf News, Ali, who was not included in the UAE team for the recent Twenty20 World Cup qualifiers, said: "I proved that you don't have to be hitting all the balls for sixes or fours to win a match. I had learned this by watching Mahela Jayawardene and Kumar Sangakkara who win matches despite not hitting hard. I am happy that I could help my team win another tournament."
Ali got out only when Emirates needed six more runs to win. "I was run out going for a second run to mid-wicket. I knew the run wasn't there but I had to try my luck," added Ali, who was rightly judged as the man of the match.
Fly Emirates won the toss and put Yogi Group into bat. Lanky pacer Amjad Javed trapped opener Salman Faris leg before for one and also dismissed dangerman Swapnil Patil for 19. He also picked up the wicket of the in-form Vikrant Shetty for four.
Shaimon Anwar began getting into his stride, but Khurram Khan got him out for 33. Khan went on to take two more quick wickets.
Prashant Braggs with an unbeaten 55 off just 29 balls with five sixes and two boundaries ensured Yogi Group posted a challenging total.
Emirates got off to a poor start, with Mohammad Ajmal dismissing opener Mohammad Iqbal for four runs and Mohammad Imran for a duck. But Usman Mushtaq and Ali put on 69 runs for the third wicket and, after Mushtaq fell to CTK Mashood for 24, Ali kept the run-rate going to ensure the victory.
