AUD down Emirates Aviation in Nissan Gulf Cup

M. Aamir’s unbeaten 74 runs off 55 balls was in vain as Emirates Aviation were handed a five-wicket defeat by American University Dubai (AUD) in the Inter-University match of the Nissan Gulf Cup. Batting first, Emirates Aviation rallied from a precarious position of 50 for four to a post a healthy total of 186 for six at the end of their allotted 25 overs. The Emirates Aviation innings hinged around Aamir’s knock which contained two sixes and a boundary. Deepak, with three for 36 was American University’s most successful bowler. In reply, Jigar Dhakan’s unbeaten knock of 62 runs helped American University score 189 runs in 24.1 overs. Jigar dealt mostly in boundaries as he hit seven fours and six during his 50-ball essay. Nikhil (24), Sharan (20) and Sahil (21 not out) were the other batsmen who contributed for American University. In other matches, Ajman University beat University of Wollonwong by four runs while Heriott Watt defeated last year’s runners-up London American City College (LACC) by 12 runs. University of Wollonwong, invited to bat first, scored 157 runs for the loss of five wickets. Anish Ahuja top-scored with 65 off 55 balls, including six boundaries and couple of sixers. Manish Dhakan kept Anish company with a breezy 39 off 35 deliveries made with the help of four boundaries. Anish and Manish, in fact, came to their team’s rescue with a 39-run partnership after Wollonwong were tottering at three for 34 at one stage. In reply, despite a fighting knock of 59 runs by Faraz, Ajman University scored 153 runs before being bowled out in the last over. Rehman Akram was the other batsman to shine for Ajman University. Anish backed his batting with a couple of  wickets in the closing stages of the match to seal victory for Wollonwong.