Gyan Steel upset former champions NMC

Ihsanullah turned in a fine all-round performance while Adeel retuned with a four-wicket haul as Gyan Steel scored a narrow 11-run victory over former champions New Medical Centre (NMC) in the inaugural game of 38th Bukhatir League ‘A’ Division Tournament, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council, at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Saturday. Ihsanullah first cracked 58 off 76 balls with five fours and three sixes and then took two for 63 to help his side seal a morale-boosting victory. Gyan Steel, batting first, scored a challenging 245 before being all out in 45 overs. Besides Ihsanullah, Amjad (46 off 40 balls) and Shakoor Khan (30 off 43) also made major contributions to the total. Aneesh Kakot was the most successful NMC bowler, taking five for 48 while experienced Shadeep Silva grabbed two for 26 to restrict Gyan Steel. NMC, who have the distinction winning the longest-running tournament in the UAE several times, faltered at the finish line despite a solid effort from Indika Sampath, who made 75 off just 32 balls with eight fours and five sixes. Sandeep Shetty (38 off 37), Gyan Silva (32 off 43), Saqib Ali (27 off 42) and Asif Ijaz (26 off 36) kept the team’s hopes afloat, but all their efforts came up short, thanks to a brilliant spell of four for 20 by Adeel. Zeeshan Khan also did the damage, claiming three for 48 as NMC were bowled out for 234 in the 41st over. Gyan Steel CC beat NMC by 11 runs: Gyan Steel CC 245 all out in 45 overs (Ihsanullah 58, Amjad 46, Shakoor Khan 30, Mudassar Ijaz 24, Zeeshan Khan 24, Fahad Usman 20; Anees Kakot 5-48, Shadeep Silva 2-26, Manjula Guruge 1-39) NMC 234 all out in 40.1 overs (Indika Sampat 75, Sandeep Shetty 38, Gyan Silva 32, Saqib Ali 27, Asif Ijaz 26; Adeel 4-20, Zeeshan Khan 3-48, Ihasanullah 2-63, Umair 1-31). Man of the match: Ihsanullah of Gyan Steel CC. Umpires: Fidel Jarry and Iftikhar Ali.