(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Niksi produced yet another Man-of-the-Match performance and his blazing 88 off 44 balls steered United Challengers to a sweeping nine-wicket victory over Doha Warriors in the Qatar Airways Twenty20 Cricket Tournament at the West Bay Grounds.
Qatar Airways has been a long-time partner of the Qatar Cricket Association, helping boost the game and players at various levels in the country.
In the latest round of matches, both T20 and 50-over-a-side games were played in Division A.
Doha Warriors, asked to set the target, failed to build a good platform as they kept losing wickets and could post only 119 for seven in 19 overs. Saeed and Najeeb were the only players to defy the rivals for some time. Saeed hit three boundaries to reach 24 in 28 balls, while Najeeb's 25 in 36 deliveries included a four. Rislath was the most economical among the bowlers with one for 14 in four overs.
United dashed to victory with Niksi hammering the ball all over the place. He struck four massive sixes and nine boundaries in his 44-ball knock, which propelled his team to a nine-wicket romp in just 11.1 overs. Rauf got the only wicket for 17 runs.
Khetco should owe their 34-run win over Regal Strikers to Khalil and all-rounder Samad. Khalil fired six sixes and as many fours to compile a superb 81 in 39 balls, which lifted his team to a healthy 201 for seven in 19 overs.
Samad blitzed an entertaining 33, which contained two sixes and three fours. After his 12-ball cameo, the all-rounder went on to bag a three-wicket haul for 18 runs, limiting the rivals at 167 for seven in 19 overs. Shani batted aggressively and got 51 with three sixes and four hits to the rope.
The 50-over match between Qatari Diar and Tusker Club saw a thrilling chase with the former making it home just eight balls from the finish. Batting first, Tusker Club put together a challenging 272 for eight in 50 overs. Anis and Akash provided the nucleus to the total.
Anis batted for 99 balls and hit 77 runs with seven boundaries, while Akash smacked two sixes and seven fours in his 69-ball 66. Mirza bowled a good line and length to pick two for 39. Allah Ditta also got two for 57.
Amir, who was declared the Man of the Match later, led the pursuit with 75, coming off 67 balls and including 10 fours. Nafees sustained the momentum as he hit 67 in 80 balls. He had half a dozen fours as well before getting stumped out.
Later, Mirza applied the finishing touches with his unbeaten 39 off 42 balls. His innings with two fours ensured Qatari Diar's splendid win in 48.4 overs.
BRIEF SCORES
Division A (T20)
Doha Warriors 119 for seven in 20 overs (Najeeb 25, Saeed 24; Rislath 1-14) lost to United Challengers 125 for one in 11.1 overs (Niksi 88; Rauf 1-17) by nine wickets. Man of the Match: Niksi (United Challengers)
Khetco 201 for seven wickets in 19 overs (Khalil 81, Samad 33; Shamsher 2-30, Shani 2-43) beat Regal Strikers 167 for seven in 19 overs (Shani 51; Samad 3-18) by 34 runs. Man of the Match: Khalil (Khetco)
Division A (50 overs a side)
Tusker Club 272 for 8 in 50 overs (Anis 77, Akash 66; Mirza 2-39, Allah Ditta 2-57) lost to Qatari Diar 273 for nine in 48.4 overs (Amir 75, Nafees 67, Mirza 39 not out; Bipin 2 for 46) by one wicket. Man of the Match: Amir (Qatari Diar)
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