Sharjah: United Bank Limited (UBL) team is on course to win their second prestigious tournament title in Sharjah.

This Abu Dhabi-based team, which lifted the Sharjah Cricket Council’s Bukhatir League title last month, has reached the semi-final of the 27th Sharjah Ramadan tournament after defeating Abu Dhabi’s New Medical Centre (NMC) by 64 runs.

Speaking to Gulf News, UBL captain Amjad Ali, said: “After our victory in the Bukhatir League, the expectation off our team is very high. The main factor that has strengthened our chances to win again is our team combination. Our ability to even defend a total of 133 in a round match has added to our confidence.”

UBL posted 199 for 6 in 20 overs through in-form batsman Mohammad Boota, who cracked an unbeaten 69 off 39 deliveries with three boundaries and five sixes.

NMC were restricted to 135 for 7 in 20 overs.

“Our team’s total was a good one but what made it easy to defeat NMC was the early wickets that our bowlers captured. At one stage NMC were 24 for 4 and that helped us gain control. We have also defeated NMC in Abu Dhabi Farlin Ramadan Cup,” added Ali.

UBL had got off to a good start through Shahzad Manna’s aggressive 40 runs off 19-balls with three fours and four sixes. After NMC lost four quick wickets, Shahbaz Ahmad fought valiantly through an unbeaten 51 but his knock went in vain.

Debutants Dubai Hawks extended their winning run by registering an easy 120-run victory over Allmed in another quarter final clash. UAE’s hard-hitting batsman Shaimon Anwar blasted three sixes and two boundaries in his 31 from only 14 balls to give Hawks a good start. This was followed by Shahzad Malek’s knock of 70 off deliveries and Mohammad Usman unbeaten 75 off 32 balls. Dubai Hawks posted 254 for 4 in 20 overs. Allmed were bowled out for 139 in 19.2 overs. Hawks skipper Ahmad Raza and Jamshed Ahmad took three wickets each.

Results:

Dubai Hawks bt Allmed by 120 runs. Dubai Hawks: 259 for 4 in 20 overs (Fahad Tariq 29, Shaimon Anwar 31, Shahzad Malik 70, Mohammad Usman 75n.o, Bilal Irshad 24n.o; Isham Ghouse 2 for 44). Allmed: 139 in 19.2 overs (Rohit Singh 31, Tahir Latheef 33; Jamshed Ahmad 3 for 31, Ahmad Raza 3 for 19, Naqash Basharat 2 for 22). Man of the match: Shahzad.

UBL bt NMC by 64 runs. UBL: 199 for 6 in 20 overs (Syed Maqsood 24, Shahzad Manna 40, Mohammad Boota 69n.o, Usman Saeed 27; Manjula Guruge 2 for 27, Mohammad Tanzil 2 for 34). NMC: 135 for 7 in 20 overs (Shahbaz Ahmad 51n.o, Tanzil Mohammad 34, Mohammad Naveed 2 for 20, Humayun Ashraf 2 for 33, Usman Saeed 2 for 30). Man of the match: Mohammad Boota.