Abu Dhabi: Jesse McLure changed the course of the Abu Dhabi inter-school final when he grabbed four wickets in one over to set up victory for The Cambridge High School.
The tall Australian medium pacer returned with five for 20 from three overs to skittle out Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Pakistan School for 106. Cambridge knocked off the winning runs with more than eight overs to spare at the Zayed stadium, according to a press release.
The Pakistan School were off to a sound start despite losing Abdul Razzaq, a prolific scorer with two centuries, for 14. He was snapped up by Liam Rory at point off McLure when the score was 32.
Rory held on to a second catch off Shaheer Jazil to dismiss Abdi Ullah (13) at 56 in the 11th over and then Moiz Qazi bowled Samuel Charles (9) at the same score.
Moaaz Qazi and Khalid Siddiqui took a wicket each to leave Pakistan School in a bit of a spot at 73 for five before McLure came in for a magic spell to take four wickets in five deliveries for the addition of two runs.
Jazil then ended a stubborn 31-run stand for the last wicket with a direct hit to the wicket to run out Hamza Iqbal (23), the No 4 batsman. Cambridge would have got the opposition out for a lower total had they not bowled 30 wides.
Moaaz was adjudged the Most Valuable Player for his 239 runs and 17 wickets. Razzaq of Pakistan School took the best batsman's prize and Omar Mohammad of the Model School the best bowler's trophy.
Al Nahda National School won the "Spirit of Cricket" award for the team deemed to have upheld the best traditions of the game.
Scores
Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Pakistan School: 106 all out in 19 overs (Hamza Iqbal 23, Jesse McLure 5-20) lost to Cambridge High School: 109 for 3 in 16.3 overs (Moaaz Qazi 21 not out, Liam Rory 19, Shivank Vijaykumar 16 not out, Mohammad Riyan 16).
Man of the match: Jesse McLure.
