Virender Sehwag demonstrated he has lost none of his touch, while Krishmar Santokie claimed the first hat-trick as Gemini Arabians went top of the Masters Champions League.
The Sharjah Cricket Stadium was buzzing with crowd support as Gemini Arabians skipper Sehwag produced a stunning knock of 134 to help his side register a 12-run win over the hapless Sagittarius Strikers.
The Indian maestro smashed 10 boundaries and 11 sixes in his 63-ball knock to help his side post a massive 224 for seven in their 20 overs. In reply, Strikers were restricted to 212 for nine in their 20 overs.
Sehwag teamed up with Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara (51) to send the crowd into raptures in what was easliy the most well-attended game in the tournament so far.
“Definitely scoring a century in any format would make anyone happy. I am very happy too, more so because we have qualified to the knock-outs,” Sehwag told media.
However it was not all one-way traffic as Strikers left-arm bowler Krishmar Santokie hit back for his side with four wickets off four deliveries in the last over of the Arabians innings. This was the first hat-trick of the tournament and veteran batsmen Sangakkara, Brad Hodge, Justin Kemp and Rana Naved-ul-Hasan were all victims in the spell.
Santokie ended with figures of five for 30 in his four overs. “But I just believed we could make a difference by sticking to the gameplan,” Santokie said.
The Strikers run chase got off to a terrible start when captain Adam Gilchrist and Mahela Jayawardene went early, followed by Englishman Michael Carberry. It was left to Pakistan pair Imran Farhat and Yasir Hameed to steady the ship with a fourth wicket stand of 74 runs.
Arabians are now sitting pretty at the top of the league with with eight points and their next match is on Saturday against the Virgo Super Kings.
“A few players will be rested for sure, but I can’t afford a break as I am the youngest of the lot,” joked Sehwag.
In the other match of the day, Capricorn Commanders taught the Libra Legends another harsh lesson.
Openers Michael Lumb (52) and skipper Jacques Kallis (54) began the Legends’ innings strongly but after their dismissal, spin duo Jeetan Patel (three for 29) and Upul Chandana (two for 30) took control of the match for the Commanders.
Michael Vaughan’s team chased down their target of 154 in 16.2 overs with an impressive 8 wickets to spare.