NMC reach 10-wicket victory

Niresh Fernando and Indika Sampath shared an unbeaten century partnership to guide the New Medical Centre to a 10-wicket victory over Air Cargo Traders Desert Cubs in Sharjah.

Niresh Fernando and Indika Sampath shared an unbeaten century partnership to guide the New Medical Centre to a 10-wicket victory over Air Cargo Traders Desert Cubs in the 37th Bukhatir League A Division Tournament at the Sharjah stadium.

Fernando made 69 not out off just 39 balls with eight fours and four sixes, and Sampath remained unbeaten on 37 off 20 balls with eight fours and four sixes as NMC overhauled the Desert Cubs' 106 in just 9.2 overs.

Earlier, Desert Cubs struggled against a disciplined NMC attack and were bowled out in the 30th over.

Only Malintha Perera (39 off 50 balls) and Eranga Jayasekara (21 not out off 32 balls) offered any resistance.

Nalin Thenuwara took three wickets for 28 runs.

In the semi-finals of the 17th AJ Invitation League tournament at Al Dhaid Village ground, Shahzad Manna smashed a century to steer Afridi CC to a 63-run victory over Ibsons CC.

Manna hit seven fours and 10 sixes for a 108 off just 39 balls and was well supported by Irfan Akram's 58 off 31 balls with five fours and two sixes.

Khurram Bhatti took four wickets for 25 runs but failed to stop Afridi CC from posting a massive 240 for six.

Ibsons were restricted to 177 for nine with Irfan Akram taking three wickets for 29 runs.

Saqib Rashid and Hashmat picked up two each with the former conceding just one run.

For Ibsons, Usman Qadar (36 off 21 balls), Mohammed Shafiq (35) and Saqib Ali (28) contributed with the bat.

Ibsons, however, made it to the final of the Sharjah Invitation Tournament defeating Al Manal Group by seven wickets, thanks Saqib Ali (89 off 43 balls

In the Al Dhaid Gold Cup quarter-finals, it was Eurocon Alubond CC over Emirates Islamic Bank by nine runs.