(MENAFN- Gulf Times) President Eleven defeated Uganda by two wickets in a 50-over-a-side match organised at the Asian Town Stadium, despite an inspiring century by Saud Islam for the visitors.
The Qatar Cricket Association (QCA) hosted the match to mark the National Sport Day celebration. Uganda, batting first, scored 265 runs for the loss of four wickets. Two good partnerships, involving Islam, who smashed 100 off 116 balls with three sixes and seven boundaries, laid the basis of the Uganda total.
Islam and Roger Mukasa first collected 125 runs for the opening wicket, with the latter hitting seven fours in his 76-ball 49. After that Islam and Arnold Otwani helped Uganda get 80 runs for the second wicket before Islam was dismissed for 100 by Mussawar Khan. Otwani carried his bat through and hit an unbeaten 50 in 80 balls with four boundaries and raise the total as big as possible.
Uganda bowlers bowled steady as President Eleven moved slowly to 50 runs in the 15 overs and 100 in the 28th.
Opener Imal Linayage led the reply and was the third man out at 138. He got run out for 60 in 83 balls after slamming a six and half a dozen fours. Mirza Baig, Imran Ashraf and Mohamed Rizlan stepped up the pace and the middle order made up for the lost time, enabling President Eleven regain the initiative.
Baig held on to one end and went on to hit an electrifying 63 not out. His 48-ball knock contained five sixes and one four. After Ashraf got out at 144, Baig and Rizlan added 58 runs for the fifth wicket in about eight overs.
Towards the end, President Eleven lost two quick wickets, including that of Murad Khan for 23, but Baig saw them through and was declared the man-of-the-match. He also bowled well to give away only 24 runs in his six-over spell.
BRIEF RESULTS
President Eleven beat Uganda by two wickets
Uganda: 265 for4 in 50 overs (Roger Mukasa 49, Saud Islam 100, Arnold Otwani 50 not out, Frank Akankwasa 26; Iqbal Hussain Chaudhry 2/63, Mussawar Khan 1/33)
President Eleven: 266 for 8 in 49 overs (Imal Liyanage 60, Imran Ashraf 41, Mohamed Rizlan 26, Mirza Baig 63 not out, Murad Khan 23; Charles Waiswa 2/46, Richard Agamire 1/74, Deusdedit Muhumuza 1/48, Henry Ssenyondo 1/48)
Player-of-the-Match: Mirza Baig (President Eleven).
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