Thursday 25 / April / 2024
Muscat: Salman Stores clinched the A Division T20 crown after beating MDC Enhance Eagles by two wickets in a thrilling final at the Ministry of Sports Affairs Ground I on Friday.
Seen as one of the most exciting outfits in domestic circuit, Salman Stores also ended up as the runners-up in the 50-over league.
Invited to bat first, Eagles posted a robust 166 for seven in 20 overs thanks to useful knocks by Pranav Mehta (33 off 21), Ikhtiar Kazmi (27 off 17) and Guru Prasanna (25 off 24). Young Aqib Aslam claimed three for 26.
Salman Stores made a solid start to the run chase, scoring 111 for two in 12.4 overs but four quick wickets saw them slump to 136 for six in 16 overs. However, they crossed the hurdle in the final over when No. 9 Muzammil Ilyas slammed a six to seal a well-deserved victory for his team.
Azeem Muhammed was declared man of the match for his vital knock of 47 off 28 that included four towering sixes. Jahanzeb Asghar Ali (33 off 33), Ghazanfar Iqbal (32 off 16) and Asim Kamal (30 off 15) were the other notable scorers.
Omkar Pramod Ozardek was the main wicket-taker for Enhance Eagles with three for 17. Faisal Mohammed and Flourry Mathunny George bagged two wickets each.
Pranav Mehta of Enhance Eagles ended up as the highest scorer in the tournament. His dismissal in the final was the first time he lost his wicket in the current T20 championship.
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Later during a prize-giving ceremony, chief guest Anil Khimji presented the winners trophy to Salman Stores captain Tauseef Ahmed in the presence of Oman Cricket Secretary Madhu Jesrani and other board members.
Brief scores: MDC Enhance Eagles 166 for 7 in 20 overs (Pranav Mehta 33, Ikhtiar Kazmi 27, Guru Prasanna 25; Aqib Aslam 3/26) lost to Salman Stores 170 for 8 in 19.3 overs (Azeem Muhammed 47, Jahanzeb Asghar Ali 33, Ghazanfar Iqbal 32, Asim Kamal 30; Omkar Pramod Ozardek 3/17, Faisal Mohammed 2/35, Flourry Mathunny George 2/36).
