Asghar, Maqsood score centuries

It was the day of two batsmen, Asghar Ali and Syed Maqsood. Hitting two brilliant centuries they guided Consolidated Shipping Services (CSS) team to a 57-run victory over Dnata in the final of the tournament, sponsored by their organisation, and staged by Dubai Cricket Council at the DCC grounds.

Asghar cracked a splendid 139 off 143 balls with five sixes and seven fours, while Maqsood hit an unbeaten 114 off 106 balls with four sixes and five fours. The innings from these two batsmen helped CSS to a massive total of 306 for three and set the stage for an exciting chase.

Dnata went for the target steadily in the beginning, but stumbled towards the end.

Put in to bat, on a wicket filled with runs, CSS lost their star batsmen Kashif Ahmed for 10 and Rowmahs for 3. One-drop Asghar began in style, and with the help of Maqsood virtually thrashed the Dnata attack. The pair put on 242 runs for the third wicket before Asghar fell in the 47th over.

Running with the shots and finding the gaps beautifully, the pair displayed their mastery over the bowlers. The acceleration was gradual but in the end they hit up 112 runs in the last 11 overs.

Dnata batsmen began the chase in the earnest. Openers Marlon Fernando and Mohammed Iqbal put on 55 runs in 10 overs before Iqbal was bowled off a beauty from Aqeel for 25.

Peter Rodrigues, looked liked settling down for a long innings, but after adding 53 runs for the second wicket swept blindly at Kashif and was bowled for 37. Javed Ismail, too, departed immediately, adjudged caught behind off Aqeel.

Three down for 109, Shane Fernando and Marlon went about the task methodically. The pair almost got on the top of the bowling with a 77-run partnership for the fourth wicket before Marlon was run out off a brilliant pick-up and throw from Maqsood at point.

Marlon hit 91 off 96 balls with two sixers and eight fours. Shane too followed five runs later, run out off a brilliant fielding by substitute James in the covers.

Needing 94 runs in the 10 overs, Rajan Abraham went for the bowling and hit up 23 runs off just 14 balls. Going for a massive hit, he holed out to Rizwan off Maqsood. Hard-hitting Amjad Javed too followed quickly, cutting uppishly into the hands of Aqeel off Naeemullah, virtually ending the grand chase.

T.S. Kaladharan, CEO, CSS in the presence of Dubai Cricket Council officials Hayat Yar Khan, Mohammed Lokhandwala, Farookh Siddiqui and Anwar Zaidi gave away the prizes. The match was officiated by Umpires Razzaq Ali and Mohammed Saeed.

"We are delighted at winning our third title this year. Asghar and Maqsood deserve all the praise for their wonderful innings which helped us get a massive total. It helped our bowlers to bowl at a steady length and make the Dnata batsmen make mistakes on a wicket filled with runs," remarked CSS skipper Naeemullah.

Summarised scores:

Consolidated Shipping Services 306 for three in 50 overs (Asghar Ali 139, Maqsood 114 n.o) bt Dnata 249 in 46.2 overs (Marlon Fernando 91, Mohammed Iqbal 25, Peter Rodrigues 37, Naeemullah 3 for 41, Maqsood 2 for 56, Aqeel 2 for 40)

Man of the match: Asghar Ali
Best bowler: Naeemullah Khan
Best batsman: Zulfiqar of Emirates Bank
Man of the tournament: Syed Maqsood