Lanka Lions survived a compelling fight-back from Farooq CC to register to a tense one-run victory in the 23rd Sharjah Ramadan Tournament for the Interface Transworld Cup at the Sharjah stadium on Tuesday night.
The 25 overs-a-side tournament, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council, is supported by 106.2 HUM FM and CBFS as associate sponsors.
Lanka Lions, put in to bat, did well to score 152 for eight in the allotted 25 overs and then held their nerve to see off a determined challenge from Farooq CC.
Gayan Randeligama top scored for Lanka Lions with a solid knock of 66 off 69 balls with six fours and two sixes. Malintha (27 off 15) was the other batsman who made a useful contribution.
Mehmood was the most successful Farooq CC bowler, claiming three for 32.
Farooq CC, in reply, had their moments to wrap up the match but the Lanka Lions bowlers who kept their cool and never allowed their opponents to dominate. Qais Farooq (30 off 32 balls) and Atiq Iftikhar (29 off 35) held the Farooq CC innings together with some fine batting.
Farukka (21 off 21) and Sher (21 off 13) made a valiant effort but they failed agonisingly short of the target by one run.
Eranga Jayasekara spearheaded the Lanka Lions attack, taking three for 25 while Tharaka Samarakoon and Oshadha Warnapura picked up two wickets each to seal a nerve wracking win.
Brief scores:
Lanka Lions beat Farooq CC by 1 run: Lanka Lions 152 for 8 in 25 overs (Gayan Randeligama 66, Malintha 27; Mehmood 3-32) Farooq CC 151 for 8 (Qais Farooq 30, Atif Iftikhar 29, Sher 21, Farruka 21; Eranga Jayasekara 3-25, Tharaka Samarakoon 2-19, Oshadha Warnapura 2-20). Man of the match: Gayan Randeligama. Umpires: Tariq Butt and Amin Shahid.
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