Dubai: Cricketers of yesteryears produced their best to steer Nad Al Sheba (NAS) and Jumeirah Mammoths into the final of the fourth edition of the League of Mammoths cricket tournament at The Sevens ground.
Shiva Pagrarani, who as Yogi Cricket team’s captain had sparkled for many years in UAE’s domestic cricket, produced an all-round show by scoring 31 runs and taking two wickets to ensure Jumeirah a nail-biting last ball three-wicket win over Zabeel Mammoths. Former Goa Ranji Trophy player Ambey Parwatkar too bagged three wickets for 16 runs for the winners.
However, it was Sheldon D’Cruz’s unbeaten 24 and Sujith Salian unconquered 20 that helped Jumeirah reach the target. Vijay Mehra, who played for UAE in 1996 World Cup and had opened batting with Indian Test star Navjot Sidhu in Cooch Behar and CK Nayudu junior tournaments in India, top scored with 37 runs.
This tournament is organised by Dubai Mammoths under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council. Jumeirah will now will meet NAS that cruised past Dubai Red Knights through an emphatic 106-run win. The final will be held at the Sevens on February 17.
Dubai Red Knights went winless in the tournament and NAS, had finished on top with 12 points.
NAS were off to a flying with Abid Choudhury leading the way through a knock of 73 from just 53 balls with seven fours and two sixes. He put on 92 runs for the opening wicket with Mohammed Naeem (28). Although both fell in quick succession, Red Knights bowlers who were severely punished by Qais Farooq and Lucky Abbas. Farooq hit unbeaten 67 from 44 balls with ten boundaries while Abbas hit an unbeaten 46 runs off just 27 balls with three sixes and four fours
Facing an imposing target, Red Knights crashed to the tight bowling from Devarajan Srinivasan (3 for 21) and Abhay Singh (2 for 29).
