Dubai: UAE Under-19 team skipper Rohit Singh and Jay Joshi, one of UAE most promising youngsters, hogged the limelight in the semi-final of the Maxtalent Global Sports Pride Cup. Rohit hit an unbeaten 98 and picked three wickets to help Heriot Watt defeat American University of Sharjah by 60 runs while Joshi, through a breezy 73 runs off 28 balls, helped Amity University beat Manipal University by 35 runs.

Amity University will now take on Heriot Watt in the final of the eighth edition of this tournament. Heriot Watt are the defending champions while Amity University broke the jinx of not reaching the final despite top perfomances in earlier tournaments. 
This tournament played at the FairGrounds Oval under the aegis of Dubai Cricket Council produced many outstanding performances. Amity University’s in-form skipper Abhinav Guha gave his team the ideal start, smashing 43 off 27 balls. Guha was dismissed for the third time in his 40s but his partner Sumit Dahiya continued to stabilise the innings with Mohammad Omer and Joshi giving their best and posting a total of 178 for 2 in 20 overs.

Even though 178 was an easy target for the strong, Manipal University realised that it was not their day. Syed Yaseen and Mohammad Adel who were involved twice in 10-wicket victories, opened the innings for Manipal University. Adil gifted his wicket early in the innings to Omer. Next batsman Mohammad Hamid departed off the very first ball he faced. Syed Yaseen and Glickson Correa then took the responsibility upon themselves to take the game to the opposition as they put on a partnership of 92 runs. Mohammad Azharuddin pulled the game back in Amity’s favour, dismissing Syed Yaseen (53) and Glickson (45) In the end they could muster only 143 for 7.

In the second semi-final, Heriot Watt were at their dominant best as they stopped three-time champions American University of Sharjah. Skipper Rohit Singh led from the front with an unbeaten 98. Electing to bat first, Heriot Watt scored 170 for 6 in 20. Rohit and Adnan Khan opened the innings and Heriot Watt were in all sorts of trouble when AUS quickie Hussam Badi struck twice to send back Adnan Khan and then Chirag Suri.

Chirag Makhija too departed and with four wickets down for 21 runs Rohit took the responsibility of steering his team to a good total. He remained unbeaten two runs short of a well deserved century but ensured his team a fighting total of 170 in 20 overs.

Rohit also picked three wickets for 22 runs to ensure that AUS was restricted to 110 for 9 in 20 overs.

Brief scores:

Semi-final 1: Amity University bt Manipal University by 35 runs. Amity University 178 for 2 in 20 overs) (Jay Joshi 73 n.o, Abhinav Guha 43) Manipal University 143-for 7 in 20 overs (Syed Yaseen 43, Glickson Correa 45, Mohammad Azharuddin 3 for 18, Mohammad Omer 2 for 17).Player of the match: Jay Joshi.

Semi-final 2: Heriot Watt bt American University of Sharjah by 60 runs Heriot Watt 170 for 6 in 20 overs (Rohit Singh 98 n.o, Abdullah Pasha 34, Hussam Badi 2 for 28 runs) American University of Sharjah 110 for 9 in 20 overs (Syed Hammad 27, Rohit Singh 3 for 22 runs, Naveed 2 for 17, Nabeel 2 for 19). Player of the Match: Rohit Singh.