Dubai: A superb century from Asif Iqbal went in vain as his team Danube Lions lost to Yogi Group by three wickets, thanks to a composed half-century from Abid Choudhury, in a Group B match in the ongoing DCC Ramadan Cricket tournament at the Dubai Men’s College Fair Grounds Oval on Friday night.

Iqbal hammered nine sixes and three fours in his knock of 103 from 73 balls and had powered his team Danube, who chose to bat first after winning the toss, to a competitive 177 for nine in their allotted 25 overs.

Despite Iqbal’s century, Danube failed to post a substantial total due to the failure of other batsmen.

It was a lone battle from Iqbal as wickets kept tumbling at the other end. Yasir Shah, who added a 40-ball 22, and Adnan Mufti, who scored 20 off 15 balls, were the other notable contributors.

On the other hand, the Yogi bowlers were in superb form as they took wickets regularly despite facing an onslaught from Iqbal. Shahzad Manna provided a good spell, picking up three for 36 from his five overs.

Mohammad Rameez gave good support as he finished with figures of 2-7 from his five overs, out of which three were maidens.

Yogi got off to a good start during their chase as the opening duo of Manna and Abid Choudhury added 52 runs for the first wicket.

Manna was the first to go, giving his wicket to Iqbal, after hitting a 27-ball 42 with the help of five boundaries and three hits over the fence.

Choudhury was more cautious, hitting a match-winning knock of 63, including six fours and a lone six. However, the fall of a few quick wickets curtailed Yogi’s progress for a while but a timely 31 off 30 balls from Safyan Rehman put them back on track.

Sunny Patel too added a useful 18 off 14 deliveries, while Hassan Ali smashed the winning run and Yogi won the match with three balls to spare.

Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 3-33, while Amir Hayat and Rohan Mustafa took one wicket apiece.

The 25-over tourney, being conducted under the auspices of Dubai Cricket Council, has 16 top teams vying for the prestigious title.

Brief scores: Yogi Group beat Danube Lions by three wickets. Danube Lions 177 for nine in 25 overs. (Asif Iqbal 103, Yasir Shah 22, Shahzad Manna 3-36, Mohammad Rameez 2-7) Yogi Group 178 for seven in 24.3 overs (Shahzad Manna 42, Abid Choudhury 63, Safyan Rahman 31, Sunny Patel 18, Asif Iqbal 3-33)

Man of the match: Abid Choudhury of Yogi Group.