Irfan Ahmed and Pakistan international Kamran Akmal guided Grand Midwest to a three-wicket victory over Alubond Tigers in a Group B match of the 40th Bukhatir League ‘A’ Division Tournament at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

With 244 to chase under lights, it was always going to be an uphill task for Grand Midwest.

However, openers Shahid Siddique and Irfan Ahmed began on a positive note, putting on 79 runs for the first wicket.

Ahmed did the bulk of the scoring, blasting 60 off just 37 deliveries while Siddique departed after an agonising 27 off 61 balls.

Akmal and Amjad Gul (17) kept the run rate under check, pacing their innings well while putting on 68 runs together.

Following Gul’s dismissal, UAE international Nasiz Aziz put pressure on Grand Midwest by striking twice in one over.

Grand Midwest, 176 for three at that stage, were dramatically reduced to 180 for six.

With 64 runs needed, Usman Mustaq and Tariq Haroon ensured there were no more hic-cups, the former scoring 35 off 54 balls and guiding Midwest past the total in 48.1 overs.

Earlier, electing to bat, Alubond Tigers opener Abdul Rauf took 42 balls for his 19 runs, but an 82-run partnership between Dilhara L and Hassan Raza shored up the innings.

Hassantha P (19), Adnan Baig (15) and Umair Ali Khan (13) made useful contributions as Alubond Tigers piled on 243 for seven in their allotted 50 overs.

For the winners, Naveed Saleem picked up three wickets in his 10 overs, while Tariq Haroon and M Asif Khan claimed two wickets each.