Dubai: Unbeaten half centuries from Vinan Nair and Sameer Khan lit up the inaugural day of the Mammoths Cricket League at the Sevens ground in Dubai on Friday.
The tournament, organised by the Dubai Mammoths Cricket Club under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council, is played on a 25-over format. Vinan and Sameer guided Jumeirah Mammoths to a comfortable five-wicket win over Zabeel Mammoths.
Winning the toss, Jumeirah put Zabeel in to bat. Zabeel soon found themselves struggling against some good bowling from Balaji Narayan, Shadab Khan and Biju Nair, all claiming two wickets each.
It was No. 9 batsman Prashanth Shetty, who blasted a quick-fire 51 from 22 balls which comprised two sixes and six fours, that enabled Zabeel post a healthy 184 for seven from their 25 overs after Harish Pai (38), Ranjeet Chavan (27) and Vinay Tolani (21) contributed their bit towards the total.
Jumeirah found the going tough in their chase and despite Shadab Khan’s 34, there were reeling at 85 for five at one stage until Vinan and Sameer joined hands to raise 100 runs for the sixth wicket and take their team home with seven balls to spare.
In the other match, Nad Al Sheba rode on half centuries from Sujith Salian and man of the match Joshil Sukhani to defeat Shindagha by a similar margin.
Brief scores: Jumeirah Mammoths beat Zabeel Mammoths by 5 wickets
Zabeel 184 for 7 in 25 overs (Prashanth Shetty 51, Harish Pai 38, Ranjeet Chavan 27, Vinay Tolani 21; Balaji Narayan 2/34, Shadab Khan 2/30, Biju Nair 2/26) Jumeirah 185 for 5 in 23.4 overs (Sameer Khan 59 n.o., Vinan Nair 59 n.o., Shadab Khan 34; Abhishek Chavan 3/28). Man of the match: Vinan Nair of Jumeirah.
Nad Al Sheba beat Shindagha by 5 wickets
Shindagha 154 for 9 in 25 overs (Ashish Bhandari 46; Vinay Mehra 3/25, Neel Ojha 2/44, Tayyab Ali 2/11) Nad Al Sheba 157 for 5 in 22 overs (Sujith Salian 50 n.o., Joshil Sukhani 50 n.o., Tayyab Ali 28 n.o.; Ashish Bhandari 2/21, Vinod Nayar 2/30). Man of the match: Joshil Sukhani.
