Asghar and Sameer steer CSS into NMC final

A match-winning 205-run fourth wicket partnership between centurions Asghar Ali and Sameer Nayak steered Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) storm into the final of the NMC A Division Cricket Tournament at the expense of defending champions Abu Dhabi Gymkhana.

CSS, one of the top teams in the UAE proved their class with a convincing 130-run win over AD Gymkhana, the B division side from the capital to set up an all-Dubai final. CSS now take on Arab Udupi in the final of the UAE's premier cricket tournament for top teams.

Batting first, CSS got off to a flyer scoring 39 off their first five overs with openers Shashikanth (35) and Rowhmas (29) involved in a 66-run partnership.

After the openers were dismissed and Maqsood Ahmed also followed for just 20, Asghar and Nayak came together. Asghar hit seven boundaries and two sixes in his 106-ball innings of 111 and along with Nayak took the score to 326 from 121 for 3.

Nayak stroked four boundaries at the imposing Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium in his knock of 1054 which came off just 99 balls.

However both fell in the final stages trying to bolster the CSS total as Imran Khan picked up four late wickets. But by then the damage was done as the Abu Dhabi team were faced with a huge 345-run chase for victory. Opener Shafqat Ahsan tried to make a fight of it but lost his partners at regular intervals.

Ehsan and Shafi Aqeel (29 off 33 balls) saw AD Gymkhana reach a healthy 99 for 2 in 15 overs but after that their run chase fell through.

Ehsan was run out for 62 with nine fours with Habib-ur-rehman chipping in with 42. Aqeel Latif, Nayak and Kashif Ahmed picked up two wickets each as AD Gymkhana fell short by 130 runs.

Scores
Consolidated Shipping beat Abu Dhabi Gymkhana by 130 runs. CSS: 345 for 6 in 50 overs (Asghar Ali 111, Sameer Nayak 105, Shashikanth 35, Rowhmas 28; Imran Khan 4 for 58) AD Gymkhana 215 (Shafqat Ahsan 62, Habib-ur-rehman 42; qeel Latif 2 for 43, Sameer Nayak 2 for 12, Kashif Ahmed 2 for 23). Man of match: Sameer Nayak of CSS.