UAE international Amjad Ali and Anfal P.M. set the tone for the 4th Interface Transworld Ramadan T20 Cricket Tournament with half centuries for United Bank Limited (UBL) and Globelink West Star Shipping respectively on Wednesday night.

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The month-long tournament, organised by Dubai Cricket Council, kicked off in rip-roaring fashion.

Emirati Warriors, a side entirely made-up of UAE-born players, won the toss and decided to field in their Group C match, but struggled as Globelink posted 159-7 from their 20 overs. Man-of-the-match Anfal’s crafty 51 was integral to his side’s total.

Coming off just 38 deliveries, Anfal’s innings included two mighty sixes and three fours.

Ubadah Barmawar upped the ante further with three towering sixes and two fours in a 20-ball 39, while Puneet Kumar played a cameo 18 from 13 balls in the death overs.

The Warriors’ team failed to build on good starts as Mohammed Iqbal (34) and Salman Farooq (23) found partners hard to come by as their side lost by 26 runs.

In Group B, United Bank Limited won the toss and put Light Speed Garage in to bat, a move that paid off as they bowled them out for 113.

Muhammad Ayaz’s bowling spell of 4-0-11-3 saw him take the man-of-the-match award. with only Musab Khan (35) and Salim Rahim (26) offering resistance for Light Speed.

UBL’s captain and opener Ali then led from the front with a classy 56 from 43 balls. His unbeaten innings which included a six and five fours, combined with Muhammad Shakir’s unbeaten 31 (24b, 1×6, 1×4) saw their side home with seven wickets in hand.