Fly Emirates batsmen go on a rampage

Dubai: Fly Emirates team seem to have been inspired by the recent record breaking Johannesburg one-day match between Australia and South Africa.

They piled up 489 for five in 50 overs against Air India and posted a 270-run victory in the Emirates Cup, the Dubai Cricket Council's most prestigious A division tournament.

It was Fly Emirates's finest display of their enormous strength. Fresh from their win over Lord's Taverners XI, comprising former England Test players, Fly Emirates went for the kill from the start.

Interestingly, Air India had won the toss but put Emirates into bat. Hard-hitting opener Amjad Javed with Mohammad Iqbal began the run riot. Javed hit 49 off just 26 balls with nine fours and one six and put on 104 runs in ten overs with Iqbal.

The UAE skipper Arshad Ali joined Iqbal and the pair put on 75 runs. In the 20th over, at the score on 179, Iqbal fell for 90 (58b, 15x4, 3x6).

In walked Kashif Khan, the man who survived a life threatening car accident two years ago and was bedridden for nearly six months. He showed that he had not lost his strength, stamina and hunger for runs through a breezy century.

Kashif and Arshad thrashed the Air India attack to put on 215 runs in 25 overs.

Air India skipper Ojas Mehta, who bowled his heart out to take four wickets, clean bowled Arshad for 104 (89b, 15x4). Kashif fell for 135 (86b, 15x4, 3x6).

Fly Emirates accelerated the run rate in the last five overs. They scored 95 runs, with Khuram Khan hitting 52 runs off just 14 balls, with eight fours and a six while Saby Fernando remained unconquered on 34 (11b, 4x4, 1x6).

Ironically, the run riot even whipped up a sand storm during the lunch break.

A tired and exhausted Air India began their chase badly. Arshad dismissed opener Ashish Mayekar for 4. One-down Hyder and opener Saeed Al Saffar put on 96 runs. Al Saffar hit 55 studded with seven boundaries and a six before being trapped leg before by Arshad.

Hyder got stumped off Yasin Sikander for 66.

After this partnership the rest of the batsmen failed to take up the challenge.

Only skipper Mehta chipped in with a fighting 35. Saby Fernando struck twice quickly to check the run flow and restrict Air India to 219 for 7.

Leroy Lindsay, the inspiration behind the Fly Emirates team, said: "It is indeed a great show and I hope our team continues this form throughout the season."

This match has once again stressed the need for an official domestic cricket record book .

Brief scores

Fly Emirates bt Air India by 270 runs
Fly Emirates 489 for 5 in 50 overs (Amjad Javed 49, Mohammad Iqbal 90. Arshad Ali 104, Kashif Khan 135, Khuram Khan 52, Saby Fernando 34n.o, Ojas Mehta 4 for 68) Air India 219 for 7 in 50 overs (Saeed Al Saffar 55, Hyder 66, Ojas Mehta 35, Arshad Ali 2 for 46, Saby Fernando 2 for 13)
Man of the match: Arshad Ali.