Dubai: UAE allrounder Arshad Ali, inspired by Pakistan's Shahid Afridi, who skids the ball to take wickets, bowled Dunes Kannur Veerans to an emphatic nine-wicket victory over Springs Cricket Academy Trivandrum Ripples in the Kerala Premier League (KPL) at the International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy on Friday night. He bagged four wickets for just 16 runs from his four overs.
Ali also sparked with the bat to steer Kannur to a 39-run victory over Wedlock Malappuram Knights with an elegant knock of 44 runs.
Speaking to Gulf News after his all-round show, Ali said: "I bowled at the right areas and made the ball skid. I learned this technique by watching Shahid Afridi whom I got to play alongside in a tournament for Fly Emirates. Since I know the wicket very well I used the knowledge to bat well against Malappuram too."
Meanwhile, Yogi Group Trissur Dynamites defeated Xpress Money Farooq Cricket Club Calicut Zamorins by six wickets.
Calicut was restricted to 142 for seven in 20 overs despite Nabeel Iqbal hitting 32 runs and Rashid Khan chipping in with 30 runs. UAE spinner Shadeep Silva picked two wickets from his four overs. Trissur raced to the target in 18.3 overs with their hard hitter Shaimon Anwar hitting 50 runs off 30 balls with five fours and two sixers. Former Goa Ranji Trophy star Avadoot Amonkar and UAE middle order batsman Vikrant Shetty hit 27 and 24 runs respectively to ensure victory.
In another match, Consolidated Shipping Services Alleppey Ripples scored an exciting seven run win over Thumbay Kasargod Leopards. Batting first, Alleppey posted 143 for eight through skipper Harsih Menon's 36 runs. Tauqir, who took three wickets to restrict Kasargod, also hit 24 runs.
