Relentless Under-13s pace setters Delhi Private School Sharjah were made to work for their fifth-consecutive ADIB NSL Cricket win Saturday after an Akash Dev Kumar-inspired Leaders Private School put up a stern challenge.

DPS were set a 91-run winning target at Skyline University after their fourth-placed opponents lost only three wickets during a strong 15-over spell. Excellent vice-captain Kumar set the platform, plundering 45 runs from 44 balls.

The table-topping quarter-finalists then showed their class to come home within 12.3 overs, Arkadeep Das at the crease when the winning margin was crossed.

“It was a good game,” said coach Ayub Iqbal. “Our guys were working very hard, as the windy conditions made it difficult.

“We batted well and finished with a four. The guys did well with their batting, fielding and bowling.

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“I am very, very happy to go into the quarter-finals. We expected a tough game today and got it. We were thinking about finishing first, to try and face the weakest team in the next stage. But there are so many good teams.”

DPS wind up the group stage against NIMS Rising Stars next Saturday, with their attention then moving to January 16’s quarter-finals at 7he Sevens.

One cricketer not heading into the knockout stages is Kumar. The opener was an influential figure yet again for Leaders XI and justifiably earned the honours as the game’s outstanding player.

Leaders will only be playing for pride next week when they face Ryan International School, DPS and Our Own English High School already in the last-eight.