Ace Challengers win big in BS Double Premier League IV opener

Riding high on Anadi Seth’s brilliant bowling and Nitish Kumar’s half-century, Ace Challengers thrashed Emirates Avengers by seven wickets in the opening match of the BS Double Premier League IV in Ajman.

Seth claimed three wickets in his spell of 2.1 overs as after opting to field first, Ace Challengers bowled out Emirates Avengers for 154 from the allotted 25 overs and later overhauled the target in just 14.4 overs with Kumar doing bulk of the scoring.

Chasing 154, Ace Challengers openers put the rival bowlers to the sword as Kumar and Naveed Anjum shared a 107-run stand and hit the hundred mark in 8.1 overs. Anjum smashed 49 off 23 balls including five boundaries and three sixes. Kumar completed his half-century in 43 balls after hitting seven fours and clearing the ropes twice. Vivek Yadav chipped in 22 as Ace Challengers won the match comfortably. Seth was declared as man of the match.

In another match, Meritorious defeated All Stars CT Seniors by 54 runs. Batting first, Meritorious posted 187 for the loss of five wickets.

Meritorious had a poor start as they lost three wickets for just 27 runs. Karthik played a patient knock of 62 and revived their innings. He was well supported by Ramesh Kumar, who hit 40 from 28 balls. Later, Sidharth Madhan (20) and Franco (23) helped Meritorious to set up a target of 187.

In reply, All Stars CT Seniors suffered early blows as they lost their openers with just four runs on the board. All Stars CT Seniors had no answers to the deadly bowling spell of Zaied Ips and their top order crumbled and fell apart like a deck of cards.

Saneen Latheef took to the crease when All Stars CT Seniors were tottering at 14-4.

Playing a sensible knock, Latheef, who scored 61 off 71 balls studded with six boundaries and one six, waged a lone battle. Following his departure, Thaqib (19) and Jinson George (17) tried their best to stage a comeback but it was too late. All Stars CT Seniors managed to reach only 133 for the loss of 7 wickets in 25 overs thus falling short of the winning target. Karthik was named man of the match.

Next round of the BS Double Premier League IV will take place on Friday. The matches are being held at the three cricket grounds of Ajman including MCC 1 Ajman / MCC 2 Ajman / Oval Ajman. The tournament will continue for the next four months with each participating team facing all the other teams. A total of 71 matches will be played during the event.

Gaurav Uppal, Founder of BS Cricket League and tournament organiser said: “The matches are being played during the tournament while adhering to the health and safety regulations laid out by UAE government authorities.

“The BS Double Premier League IV supports the UAE’s vision of promoting a healthy and active lifestyle,” added Uppal, who has organised more than 65 tournaments under the banner of BS Cricket League during the past three and half years.