Gulam Shabbir’s superb unbeaten half century helped Alubond Tigers beat Fly Emirates by a convincing five-wicket margin in a Group A match of the 42nd Bukhatir League cricket tournament at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

Shabbir’s knock of 72 not out from 87 deliveries including six boundaries and three sixes as Tigers eased past the target with 14.3 overs to spare.

Fly Emirates won the toss and opted to bat first, and things looked like going their way as openers Arshad Ali and Qammar Hussain put on a breezy start of 49 runs for the first wicket.

Ali fired a 25-ball 35 that included four boundaries, while Hussain made 29. Sagar Pawar then played a good hand but was unfortunate to miss out on his half century by just a single run as he succumbed at 49 from 58 balls.

Mohammad Azhar (3-47) and Rohan Mustafa (3-32) struck at regular intervals to share six wickets amongst themselves as Fly Emirates were all out for 217 in 43.3 overs.

Chasing a tricky target, Tigers lost an early wicket but Mustafa and Shabbir took off in style to ensure their team was on track. Musfata perished for a 34-ball 41, but Shabbir shared important partnerships with Hassan Raza (31, 47b) and Umair Ali Khan as Tigers reached 220 in 35.3 overs.

Umair lit up the stadium with a quickfire 17-ball 37. It was entertaining stuff from the hard-hitting batsmen as six sixes accounted for 36 runs and he ran just one single.