Dubai: The Gemini Arabians made it six out of six with a 10-run win over the Sagittarius Strikers to book their rightful place in the final of the inaugural Masters Champions League at the Dubai Cricket Stadium late on Thursday.
Chasing 192 for a win for a spot in the final, the Adam Gilchrist-led Sagittarius Strikers came up short for a second time since last Friday, as the Arabians’ bowlers once again held sway as they were restricted to 181 for 6.
“It was a good fight till the end, and Mahela was once again outstanding. I am glad that Mustard had his moment out there, and it would have been good if we could gone the distance. It was fun, but frustrating,” Gilchrist said.
“Reflecting now over all the losses that we have had, there were minor moments that made the difference. The good thing is that we were never embarrassed. This has been a good tournament,” he added.
The highlight once again in the Strikers’ chase was a well-knitted 65 runs from 52 balls by Sri Lankan star Mahela Jayawardene. The diminutive batsman was all patience following the departure of his skipper as he struck nine fours in a rather subdued stay at the crease. He was fifth out, caught by Jacques Rudolph off Onions on the leg-side, and his side still needing 57 runs to win.
However, it was far from over as Phil Mustard came up with some rearguard action as he smashed an unbeaten 48 runs from 18 balls, including five huge sixes to get his side within striking distance. The Arabians hit the rough in the 18th over as Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan nearly undid all the hard work for his side giving away a massive 23 runs and leaving the Strikers to get 33 runs from the last 12 deliveries.
But Onions jumped to the rescue getting rid of the dangerous Arafat in his final delivery and the Strikers wanted 21 runs off the final over. Rana repaid the trust placed in him by bowling a tight line giving away only ten runs in the final over to see the Arabians over the line.
In their group match last Friday, the Arabians had secured a 12-run win over the same opponents at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium in a high-scoring encounter. And once again leading the way was Sehwag with a cracking 134 runs while Sangakkara had contributed a handy half century.
On Thursday, the same story was scripted once again as Sehwag and Sangakkara did the bulk of the scoring putting up a quick 118-run partnership following the early loss of Richard Levi after scoring 13. The two batsmen once again dominated the bowlers for their second successive century-run stand. Sangakkara went on to make 62 runs from 43 balls, while the flambouyant Indian star went on to smash a huge 83 from 50 deliveries.
Tino Best was the pick of the bowlers for the Sagittarius Strikers while taking three wickets for 24 runs. The 36-year-old bowler from West Indies took all three wickets in one over – the 19th of the inning – as the Gemini Arabians’ swift run flow was stemmed to reach 191 for 5 in 20 overs. Making merry in the last over was Rana Naved-Ul-Hasan as he smashed 15 from the final over to stay unbeaten on 14 from just five deliveries.
Muralitheran, who took two wickets, was not overawed with the close call from the Strikers. “They had to try their best and they had to do something. In the end we are glad we played well as a unit and won it to make it to the final,” Muralitheran said.
Brief Scores
Gemini Arabians def. Sagittarius Strikers by ten runs: Gemini Arabians 191 for 5 in 20 overs (Virender Sehwag 83, Kumar Sangakkara 62, Rana Naved-Ul-Hassan 14 n.o.; Tino Best 3-24) Sagittarius Strikers 181 for 6 in 20 overs (Mahela Jayawardene 65; Graham Onions 3-37, Muthiah Muralitheran 2-29). Man of the match: Virender Sehwag (Gemini Arabians).
