Raziq dominates show for Wayanad team win

Dubai: Trotters Wayanad Highlanders have peaked at the right time. They stunned Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) Alleppey in the Capital Kerala Premier League semifinal at the International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy Oval ground on Tuesday night.

Chasing a target of 150 runs set by Alleppey, Wayanad openers Raziq Khan and Amjad Ali played positively to put on 27 runs. Ali fell to Shehazad Manna but Sri Lankan international Dilhara Lokuhetteige then partnered Raziq and put on a 54 runs partnership.

Raziq dominated the show cracking four huge sixes and five fours to race to exactly 50 runs in 27 balls before falling to Haji Irfan. Lokuhetteige hit 24 runs in 32 balls while Afghanistan all-rounder Mohammad Nabi chipped in with 16 runs. Mohammad Azam too scored 17 runs to the take the team close to the victory target. Sajjad Saeed with a crucial unbeaten 16 runs ensured the win for Wayanad with eight eight balls to spare.

Speaking to Gulf News, Nazir Aziz, the captain of the Wayanad team said: "Our victory is mainly due to the fine team combination. We bowled, batted and fielded well and we knew if we can do that we can win the match. Raziq [Khan] showed the way by bowling and batting very well. This victory has given us the confidence to win the final too."

It was a sad end for CSS-Alleppey team that had dominated throughout in the league stage.