Majestic Menon steers Tellicherry to win

Dubai: Former Kerala Ranji trophy batsman Harish Menon displayed his batting prowess to guide Nucaf Tellicherry to an exciting three-wicket win over favourites Eurocon Alubond in the final of the Dubai Cricket Council Twenty20 tournament.

Harish, opening the batting, hit an elegant 49 off 46 balls with three boundaries and a six at the Zabeel Park floodlit ground.

Quick start

Tellicherry restricted the strong Eurocon batting, which even had UAE team captain Saqib Ali in their line up, to a modest 117 for eight.

Ali top-scored with 23, and hard-hitting Jarnail Singh gave a quick start through a 21 off 18 balls with two sixes.

Samiullah and Fayaz both bowled a tight length to restrict the run flow of their opponents.

It was not easy for Tellicherry to chase the modest total. Pace bowlers Sharif, Farhan and Athula bowled tightly and kept picking wickets at regular intervals. At one stage, Tellicherry had slipped to 43 for three.

Eurocon knew that the match would never be in their pocket until they dismissed Shaiman Anwar, who had guided Tellicherry to victories through his six-hitting ability.

However, Harish kept the scoreboard moving to maintain the run flow. Shaiman gave good support through an unbeaten 21 refusing to go for the big shots.

Tellicherry reached the target with three balls to spare.