ABU DHABI // Manjula Guruge has savoured some memorable moments on the cricket pitch, but none comes close to his match-winning knock in the UBL Twenty20 final.
Guruge, the UAE Exchange batsman, had to score 10 runs from the last three deliveries, and having run a couple in the first ball he faced, the one that followed was sent towards the wide long on fence and the next took a thick outside edge to race into the vacant third man to leave Eurocon Alubond, the opposition, shell-shocked.
"I have had some moments to celebrate but to hit the last two balls for fours and win a final beats them all," said the tall Sri Lankan medium pacer, who guided the UAE Exchange Centre to a two-wicket victory at the Zayed Cricket Stadium on Friday.
"I don't get much batting as I would have wished for, but I am very happy I was able to win the game for my team when the opportunity came," he added.
In addition to Guruge's heroics, it was Asim Ijaz, who held the innings together until the final over with a well compiled half century. He was out first ball in that over, which paved the way for Guruge's entry.
Saqib Ali, the UAE all-rounder, who fell for 20 from 11 deliveries, said: "We always had hopes as long as Asim was at the wicket, and Manjula completed the job for us with a remarkable finish."
Ali, who won the man of the tournament award for his 320 runs and nine wickets in the six matches, added: "We were chasing an eight-plus (per over) score and that doesn't give much time to settle in.
"I got my shots right at the start but then you get the odd one which I top-edged. We needed a concentrated effort from the team and that was what won the game for us."
apassela@thenational.ae
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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