Mustafa, Raza power Alubond Tigers to big win

Abu Dhabi: Alubond Tigers, riding the crest of a wave this season, got their campaign in the Farlin Ramadan Twenty20 Cup to a flying start with victory over Abu Dhabi Gents by 45 runs.

The Ajman-based team have so far won seven titles this season and will be looking to add more with a host of Ramadan Cup tournaments being organised across the country.

Rohan Mustafa, the UAE international, and Hasan Raza, the former Pakistan international, both hit half centuries for their team to post a challenging 185 for four at the Zayed Cricket stadium.

Mustafa smashed 80 from 55 balls, highlighted by seven fours and a couple of sixes, while Raza’s 45-ball 58 not out consisted of half-a-dozen boundaries. Mohammad Azhar then took four for 18 from four overs to restrict Abu Dhabi Gents to 140 for eight in the Group A match.

Syed Maqsood cracked 46 from just 12 deliveries and Mohammad Shahzad stroked an unbeaten half century as United Bank Limited eased to an eight-wicket win over Abu Dhabi Gymkhana in Group C.

Maqsood blasted 10 fours and a six, meaning the stocky opener hit every ball, barring one, beyond the ropes. Shahzad’s 52 not out came off 36 balls and was highlighted by seven fours and a six.

In Group B, Old School Boys got the better of Eleven Strikers by six wickets. Hafiz Kaleem (56) and Mohammad Ibtisham (24) gave Old School Boys a sound start with an 81-run stand, and Swapnil Patil (32 not out) and Wasim Bari (23 not out) took them over the line with 13 balls to spare.

Brief Scores: Alubond Tigers beat Abu Dhabi Gents by 45 runs. Alubond Tigers 185 for 4 in 20 overs (Rohan Mustafa 80, Hasan Raza 58 not out, Navalesh Naidoo 2-19) Abu Dhabi Gents 140 for 8 in 20 overs (Navalesh Naidoo 50, Sadiq Khan 38, Mohammad Azhar 4-18, Nasir Aziz 2-23).

United Bank Limited beat Abu Dhabi Gymkhana by eight wickets. Abu Dhabi Gymkhana 133 for 4 in 20 overs (Haroon Iftikhar 63 not out, Kashif Dawood 36, Mohammad Naveed 2-12) United Bank Limited 134 for 2 in 12.5 overs (Mohammad Shahzad 52 not out, Syed Maqsood 46).

Old School Boys beat Eleven Strikers by six wickets. Eleven Strikers 148 for 6 in 20 overs (Abdul Basit 32, Feroz Khan 31, Anil Raju 2-23) Old School Boys 149 for 4 in 17.5 overs (Hafiz Kaleem 56, Swapnil Patil 32 not out).