Dubai: Naved-Ul-Hasan’s superb hat-trick spelt the doom for the Leo Lions as the Gemini Arabians were crowned comfortable champions with a 16-run win in the inaugural Masters Champions League (MCL) at the Dubai Cricket Stadium late on Saturday.
Well on course to overhaul the set target of 131, it was Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan’s third over – and the 17th of the inning – that proved to be the turning point of the final before a modest crowd. The 37-year-old from Sheikupura first clean bowled Johan Botha, then trapped Heath Streak for a duck and finally rocked Brian Lara’s castle to have the Lions whimpering at 95 for 8 within three deliveries.
The Lions had not got off to the best of starts as they were left tottering at 3 for 3 with Kyle Mills and Graham Onions working in tandem. However, skipper Lara and Marshall then got into the act knitting together a patient 86-run partnership till the West Indies star limped off with a pulled muscle.
Marshall continued the chase with new man Scott Styris. But Marshall was erroneously given leg before and Styris departed three runs later after being caught brilliantly by substitute Shivnarine Chanderpaul. And then Naved-Ul-Hasan came up with that deadly 17th over, that all but broke the Lions’ back as they were bundled out for 114 with three balls to spare.
“I think our bowlers did a great job in restricting them. But all credit to the Gemini Arabians as they played like champions,” Lara complimented.
“We always knew it would be hard to beat them. We played well against a very strong team and in the end we are proud of having made it so far. This has been a wonderful tournament and I hope I can return next year,” he added.
Earlier, an equally disciplined bowling from the Lions had obstructed the otherwise free-scoring Gemini Arabians to a modest 130 for 7. After skipper Virender Sehwag’s early departure Richard Levi and Kumar Sangakkara did well to prop the inning.
Later in the middle it was Justin Kemp who once again played an unbeaten cameo of 32 from 29 deliveries that included one boundary and two sixes. Fidel Edwards and Styris were their usual aggressive selves with two wickets apiece as the Arabians reached 130 for 7.
“I was not expecting a batting collapse. The ball was stopping and coming onto the bat. But Sangakkara and Kemp did well. I am proud of my team, especially the bowlers. Full credit goes to my team as a unit,” Sehwag said.
“They were up there in the last six games, and then when it really mattered they delivered,” he added.
Brief Scores:
Gemini Arabians def. Leo Lions by 16 runs: Gemini Arabians 130 for 7 in 20 overs (Richard Levi 21, Kumar Sangakkara 30 (26), Justin Kemp 32 not out; Fidel Edwards 2 for 27, Scott Styris 2 for 18). Leo Lions 114 all out in 19.3 overs (Hamish Marshall 46, Brian Lara 28; Kyle Mills 2 for 13, Naved-Ul-Hasan 4 for 9, Muthiah Muralitharan 1 for 24, Saqlain Mushtaq 1 for 12. Man of the Match: Naved-Ul-Hasan (Gemini Arabians).
