Maxtalent Global Sports U-11 side stole the show as they finished as runners-up in the MGS-MCCC Challenge Cup in Oman.

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Maxtalent entered three teams – U-11, U-13 and U-16 – to take on some of the best young Omani players.

With plenty to play for, the Dubai-based Academy players rose to the occasion by showing their potential with the ball and bat.

In the U-11s category, Maxtalent won three of their four matches to reach the final but fell short by 27 runs against to Indian School Muscat (ISM). Batting first, ISM posted an impressive 174-7 with Colin Alfonso and Eshan Nair claiming two wickets each. 

In reply, Maxtalent could only score 147-6 in their 20 overs. Sairam Mohan, who scored 57 in his previous match against Muscat Cricket Coaching Centre, (MCCC) smashed 60 runs. 

The opener finished the tournament with 226 in five matches, while Nair was his team’s highest wicket-taker with nine.

Maxtalent’s U-13 group were unfortunate not to qualify for the final despite winning three of their four matches. 

They got off to a strong start beating MCCC by nine wickets but fell to a 90-run defeat to Indian School Wadi Kabir ‘A’.

They bounced back with victories in their next two games. 

Inspired by Kushal Chiluka, who smashed 80 runs, Maxtalent registered a 70-run win over Indian School Wadi Kabir ‘B’. 

They then beat Boscher Olympic Centre by 48 runs with Jardel Pereira hitting an unbeaten 44.

Like their U-13 team-mates, the U-16s had a strong campaign but failed to qualify for the final. 

Having lost their two opening games against ISM (by 48 runs) and Indian School Wadi Kabir (by 46 runs), Maxtalent claimed their first victory with an emphatic 10 wicket win over Boscher Olympic Centre. 

The academy ended their group campaign on a high with Abijith Kumar hitting an unbeaten century while Clive Alfonso scored 69 as they successfully chased 221 to win by seven wickets against MCCC.