MCL 12th Match Review: The Gemini Arabians' winning streak continues

Gemini Arabians continued their winning streak in the Masters Cricket League (MCL) today after they defeated the Virgo Super Kings by 22 runs. The Super Kings batsmen had a simple task of chasing a modest total put forth by the Arabians batting first. However, the VSK batsmen, unfortunately, could not get better of the disciplined bowling and failed to chase down the target.

After being asked to chase 145, the start didn’t go as planned for the Super Kings. The skipper was a huge letdown after he went back to the pavilion off the second ball of the opening over. Owais Shah and Azhar Mahmood also flunked as the Super Kings went into deep trouble by the time the second innings reached its half-way stage. A brief partnership of 43 runs between Neil McKenzie and Hasan Raza kept dim hopes of win alive. However, the well-set Neil McKenzie (46 from 42 balls) departed in the 16th over to dash the hopes.

Run scoring was sluggish all the while and the asking rate shot up drastically. Tail-enders Jacob Oram and Hasan Raza had a huge task at hand as 48 runs were required off the last 24 deliveries. However, the Arabians bowlers kept getting wickets regularly. Raza (28 from 26 balls) was dismissed in the very next over after McKenzie’s dismissal. Oram (18 from 16 balls) and Fosters tried in vain to save a virtually lost game. The Super Kings eventually could manage 122/6 after 20 overs, falling 22 runs short of the target.

Earlier, the Arabians started off steadily. After a quiet first over, Sangakkara unleashed his strokes, hitting boundaries at will. With the scoreboard reading 44/0 after 6 overs, leg-spinner Malinga Bandara was brought in by Smith. The move paid off as he removed Rudolph and found the first opening for the Kings.

However, Sangakkara, who was batting strongly also fell few overs later for a quickfire 51 off just 34 balls. His innings was instrumental in the breezy start for the Arabians. Saqib Ali took the responsibility after the Sri Lankan legend walked back and batted really well to compile a sturdy 46 runs knock off 41 balls. The Arabians batting today revolved around these two batsmen who contributed a major share of runs out of the team total. Strangely, Virender Sehwag did not come out to bat. Viru, who is in destructive form, would have definitely made a difference of at least 40-50 runs in the final total.

Brief Scores:

Gemini Arabians: 144/5 in 20 overs (Kumar Sangakkara 51; M Bandara 2/26)

Virgo Super Kings:122/6 in 20 overs (Neil McKenzie 46; Kyle Mills 2/40)

Man of the Match: Kumar Sangakkara (Gemini Arabians)