Sharjah: Alubond Tigers’ spectacular run chase stopped Multiplex International in their tracks to reach the final of the One Stop Tourism 43rd Bukhatir Premier League title at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Tigers will take on United Bank Limited (UBL) for title after both semi-finals produced a shower of sixes and boundaries as all the four teams batted brilliantly.

In the first semi-final, UBL had to battle hard to subdue Globelink Weststar Shipping despite posting a mammoth 302 for 7 in 50 overs. They won by only 13 runs with Globelink scoring 289 for 9.

The second semi-final was virtually a run feast with over 700 runs being scored in the match. Multiplex posted 358 for 8 in the 50 overs but Alubond reached the target in 46.4 overs through spectacular batting from CP Rizwan’s unbeaten 85 and Amjad Gul’s unconquered 95.

When Alubond won the match, the giant scoreboard at the Sharjah Stadium flashed that it was the highest successful run chase at the Sharjah Stadium.

Though the first semi-final contest was marred by some debatable umpiring decisions, the contest was intense. Zawar Fareed of UBL cracked 111 runs backed by fine knocks from Muhammad Shakir’s 58 and Usman Saeed’s 69. Globelink chased through consistent Renjit Mani’s 54 and Aneesh Pillai’s valiant unbeaten 63. Sharan Pinto too tried hard through an unbeaten 36 but fell short.

It was Alubond’s consistent batsman Rizwan and Gul’s positive approach that won them the game despite Multiplex’s huge total in the second semi-final.

Multiplex’s Balwinder Singh (73) and Sapandeep Singh (114) put on a brilliant 148 runs for the first wicket. Abdul Shakoor chipped in with 67.

Alubond’s Mohammad Qasim and Abdul Shakoor recorded a 119-run partnership for the second wicket but at 187 for three, it was still a Herculean task for the team. Rizwan and Gul took charge and put on an unbroken 172 runs for the fourth wicket despite mounting pressure and recorded a memorable victory.

Semi-finals:

UBL bt Globelink WestStar by 13 runs. UBL 302 for 7 in 50 overs (Syed Maqsood 22, Mohammad Shakir 58, Zawar Fareed 111, Usman Saeed 69, Saqlain Haider 22; Amjad Javed 2 for 68) Globelink WestStar 289 for 9 in 50 overs (Renjith Mani 54, Jiju Janardhanan 29, Anfal PM 32, Vineeth Viswanathan 24, Aneesh Pillai 63n.o., Sharan Pinto 36n.o.; Mohammad Naveed Saleem 2 for 29, Umar Farooq 2 for 68, Mujahid Amin 2 for 36, Zaheer Maqsood 2 for 43). Man of the match: Zawar Fareed.

Alubond Tigers bt Multiplex International by seven wkts. Multiplex International 358 for 8 in 50 overs (Balwinder Singh 73, Sapandeep Singh 114, Saleem A Raheem 37, Abdul Shakoor 67; Sharif Asad Ullah 3 for 56, Sultan Ahmed 2 for 74, Nasir Aziz 2 for 58) Alubond Tigers 359 for 3 in 46.4 overs (Mohammad Qasim 88, Abdul Shakoor Sher 53, CP Rizwan 85 n.o., Amjad Gul 95 n.o.). Man of the match: Amjad Gul.