Ali powers fly Emirates in Bukhatir league

Arshad Ali produced a solid all-round performance while Usman Mushtaq had a brilliant five-wicket haul as Fly Emirates defeated Farooq CC by 32 runs in the 38th Bukhatir League ‘A’ Division Tournament, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council, at the Sharjah stadium on Monday night. Experienced Ali first hammered 73 off 84 balls with four fours and one six and then claimed four for 34 to help his side seal an emphatic win in the opening match of the longest-running tournament in the UAE. Fly Emirates, batting first after winning the toss, did well to score a competitive 265 for eight in the allotted 50 overs. Mohammed Iqbal (42 off 57 balls), Amjad Javed (41 off 36), Nigel Fernandes (35 off 50), Usman Mushtaq (30 off 49) and Sharif Mohammed (27 not out) further consolidating the early gains. Ahmed Raza and Abdullah Hanif were the most successful Farooq CC bowlers, claiming three wickets each. Farooq CC, in reply, were bowed out for 233 in the 47th overs with Usman Mushtaq doing most of the damage, taking five for 33. Ahmed Shawat batted well for Farooq, scoring 59 off 77 balls. Salman Farooq (39 off 46), Adel Reyal (31 off 32), Aamir Iftikhar (25 off 19) and Qais Farooq (24 off 50) were also among the runs, but their efforts fell well short of the victory target. Fly Emirates beat Farooq CC by 32 runs: Fly Emirates 265 for 8 in 50 overs (Arshad Ali 73, Mohammed Iqbal 42, Amjad Javed 41, Nigel Fernandes 41, Usman Mushtaq 30 Sharif Mohammed 27 not out; Ahmed Raza 3-26, Abdullah Hanif 3-35, Moiz Shahid 1-52) Farooq CC 233 all out in 46.1 overs (Ahmed Shawat 59, Salman Farooq 39, Adel Reyal 31, Aamir Iftikhar 25, Qais Farooq 24; Usman Mushtaq 5-33, Arshad Ali 4-34, Fawad Syed 1-34). Man of the match: Arshad Ali of Fly Emirates. Umpires: Arshad Ansari and Hamid Muktar. Scorers: Zameel Hameed and Rizky Hameed.