Exchange keep hopes alive

Abu Dhabi: UAE Exchange Centre kept their hopes of a quarterfinal spot alive after inflicting the first defeat on Ibsons in the Ramadan Twenty20 tournament for the Fortune Cup here.

According to an ADCC press release, the Exchange men restricted Ibsons to 165 for nine with Kashif Ahmad and Shadeep Silva claiming three wickets each. UAE captain Saqib Ali and Atif Ijaz then hit fine half centuries to see their team through with seven delivers to spare.

Saqib hit fours sixes and four fours in a blistering 26-ball 50 and Ijaz stroked 65 not out off 53 deliveries. He put on 82 for the third wicket with Saqib and 73 with his brother Asim Ijaz, who chipped in a useful 23 not out.

The result means group D has turned into a three-way tie for the quarters between Exchange, Ibsons and William Hare Abu Dhabi Gymkhana.

Meanwhile, Eurocon Alubond defeated Gamco to register their second win in group A. Eurocon posted 190 for six and Gamco, who are yet to win from three games, could muster only 141 for eight.