Ahmed smashes double ton as Phoenix rout Noble Future by 466 runs in Bukhatir League

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The UAE international Waheed Ahmed smashed a blitzkrieg 225 and Shoib Laghari scored 173, as Phoenix Medicine defeated Noble Future Land by 466 runs in their Bukhatir League match at Al Dhaid ground.

Riding on the splendid performances of Ahmed and Laghari, Phoenix posted a mammoth total of 622/5, and bundled out Noble Future Land to 176.

After Rohan Mustafa departing early for 24, Vritya Aravind 106, Ahmed and Laghari demolished the bowling attack of Noble Future to take the score to an incredible 622/5.

A brilliant double century by Ahmed in 86 balls was the highlight of the game followed by young Vriya’s 108 and Shoaib’s 173 in 88 balls.

Chasing, Noble Future Land kept on losing the wickets on regular intervals and succumbed under pressure before being skittled out for a meagre 176. Mustafa took three wickets while Karthik Meiyappan picked four for Phoenix.

In the other match, Kai Smith continued his brilliant form with a stroke filled 73, while Ronak Panoly 35,Nikhil Srinivasan 57 and Ali Naseer 56 helped Dubai Starlets to reach 327 for 6 in their 50 overs.

In reply Al Moharab Defenders were shot down for 119. Asfaandyar Ejaz 37 and Mohammad Shahdad 21 scoring respectively. For Starlets, Ronak Panoly picked up 5 for 22 while Nilansh picked 3 and Rahul Bhatia 2 wickets.

Meanwhile, ECB Blues defeated Karwan Strikers by five wickets.

Strikers were in trouble at 9 for four wickets, but Ali Khan in the company of Sardar Bahzad Naquib (53) had a 144 runs fifth wicket partnership to get to a decent score of 234 for seven wickets.

For ECB Blues, Sabir Rao 4 for 47 and Adithy Shetty picked two wickets. In response ECB Blues openers, Chirag Suri (58) and Ateeq Ur Rehman 66 and Muhammad Naeem Khan (47) ensured a comfortable win in 35 overs.

Separately, the CEO of Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Khalaf Bukhatir has launched a major support programme for young and upcoming cricketers by way of sponsoring them in the development of their cricketing skills at the Sharjah Cricket Academy.

This all-expense paid opportunity has been endorsed by Abdulrahman Bukhatir, who has agreed to match his son’s efforts.

“My father is recognized as the father of cricket in the region and the man who put the UAE on the global cricket map. He has pioneered many firsts for cricket these past five decades ranging from the Bukhatir League now entering its 46th year to the world famous CBFS experiment that has been unprecedented,” said Khalaf Bukhatir.

“It has always been his desire to create an institution for the sport at the youngest level so that nascent talent is given the best of training from the start. I am delighted and honoured to continue his legacy and give these youngsters this chance to touch the stars and make the game a career.” A selection camp will take place at the stadium in the next couple of weeks as trials for talent spotting get under way.