NMC edges out Al Ain in cricket

A strong display by the New Medical Centre (NMC) batsmen put to shade a fine alround display by Al Ain's Zafarullah in the NMC Trophy Cricket Tournament here.

Zafarullah, who first scored 73 off only 63 balls, went on to take two NMC wickets for 38 runs. His effort could only earn him the man of match award as the strong NMC batting ensured the holders were home with a six-wicket win in their group match.

Batting first, Al Ain scored 281 for 9 with Zafarullah's 73 aided by three sixes and six fours. Shahid Rasheed (51), Awad (36) and Zakir Butt (44 not out) helped Zafarullah in building Al Ain's score.

NMC's Kaif Ghaury (64) and Saqib Ali (45) were involved in a big second wicket stand while Sandeep Dhuri hit a breezy 66 off only 55 balls. Veteran Vijay Mehra chipped in with an unbeaten 62 as NMC sailed home with six wickets to spare.

In another match of the same tournament played at the Veterans Ground in Dubai, Al Kabeer defeated ECCC in a low-scoring match. Ahsan Tufail top scored in Al Kabeer's total of 184 as ECCC's Asif Farid and Rashid shared six wickets between them.ECCC got off to a disastrous start as Aamir Rafiq and Sajjad Butt reduced them to 38 for 5. Only Tauseef Ahmed with 45 helped ECC cross the 100 mark.

Summarised scores: NMC bt Al Ain CA by six wickets ACA: 281 for 9 in 50 overs (K. Zararullah 73, Shahid Rasheed 51, Awad 36, Zakir Butt 44 n.o.) NMC: 282 for 4 in 48.3 overs (Kaif Ghaury 64, Saqib Ali 45, Sandeep Dhuri 66, Vijay Mehra 62 n.o.)

Man of match: K. Zararullah.
Al Kabeer bt ECCC by 82 runs Al Kabeer: 184 (Ahsan Tufail 47, Asif Farid 3 for 50, Rashid 3 for 34) ECCC: 118 all out (Tauseef Ahmed 45, Aamir Rafiq 3 for 10) Man of the match: Aamir Rafiq.