Khuram spurs ECB to victory

Khuram Khan, skipper of the Emirates Cricket Board team, cracked a brilliant century to help his team register their second successive victory in the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) Trophy in Singapore yesterday.

Khuram's knock of 113, studded with nine boundaries and a six off only 99 balls, was the highlight of ECB's 166-run victory.

Electing to bat, ECB made an impressive 289 for nine in 50 overs and restricted Kuwait to 123 in 38.3 overs.

Arshad Ali was the main destroyer of the Kuwait innings with a splendid spell of five for 10 off his 10 overs. Wicketkeeper Mohammed Nadeem, with a world record equalling performance, held five catches and effected one stumping.

Openers Asim Saeed and Arshad Ali set the tempo for a huge score with a 65-run partnership. Saeed hit a 40 (49b, 3x4s, 1x6) before being run out, while Ali made 27.

One drop Mairaj Khaliq was run out for a duck, off the first ball. Three down for 76, Atif Ali joined Khuram Khan and the pair put on a 134-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Atif Ali was adjudged leg before when he was just one short of his 50.

Though ECB lost the wickets of Ahmed Nadeem and Mohammed Pir Baksh quickly, Khuram with Naeemuddin (12) and Mohammed Tauqir (11) ensured an impressive total.

Asim struck the first blow with the ball having Kuwait opener Nawaz caught by Nadeem for a duck. One drop Raza Shah (28) and opener Ahmed put on 64 runs for the second wicket before Mairaj and Tauqir gave the breakthrough.

Arshad Ali began his spell dismissing the next four batsmen and Kuwait innings folded up for 123 runs.

Summarised scores:

ECB 289 for nine in 50 overs (Asim Saeed 49, Atif Ali 49, Khuram Khan 113) bt Kuwait 123 in 38.3 overs (G. Ahmed 33, Raza Shah 28. S. Qamer 28, Arshad Ali 5 for 10). Man of the match: Khuram Khan.