Indian Invitation XI win in a thrilling finish

Dubai: Indian Invitation XI scored an exciting one-wicket win off the last ball over Indian Consul General's XI in a match at the Dubai Sports City International Cricket Stadium held to celebrate India's Republic Day.

The match, organised by Dubai and Sharjah Cricket Councils, turned out to be a thriller with I.P. Khaitan steering the last ball of the match away to give his team victory.

Batting first, Indian Consul General's XI scored 129 runs with Jairaj Thakur hitting an unbeaten 42 off just 27 balls with three fours and two sixes. Vijay Mehra, too, chipped in with 24 runs. Anil provided vital breakthrough taking two wickets.

Indian Invitation XI got off to a brilliant start with CTK Nazir and Mohammad Hyder putting on 48 runs for the second wicket. Shaji Ul Mulk trapped Nazir leg before for 17 while Hyder retired after scoring 30 runs.

Abbas Khan accelerated the run rate, hitting 31 runs off just 16 balls before M.P. Singh and Shaji bowled brilliantly to strike repeatedly. Backed by the brilliant wicket keeping of Consul General Sanjay Verma, the Indian Invitation batting collapsed as Singh and Shaji bagged four wickets each.

After skipper Freddy Sidhwa was trapped leg before, the task fell on Khaitan and last man Farad. Khaitan, withstood the tight bowling for three overs, to ensure the victory.

Thakur won the best batsman award while M.P. Singh was adjudged best bowler.