Seven Seas Strikers enter Sharjah tournament semifinals

Mohammed Asif slammed a solid half-century while Rana Kashif claimed four wickets as Seven Seas Strikers defeated Rufi Real Estate by 42 runs to cruise into the semifinals of the 23rd Sharjah Ramadan Tournament for the Interface Transworld Cup at the Sharjah stadium on Monday night.

The tournament, organised by the Sharjah Cricket Council, is supported by 106.2 HUM FM and CBFS as associate sponsors.

Batting with great conviction, Asif made 64 off 57 balls with five fours and two sixes to help Seven Seas Strikers post a competitive total of 198 for five in the allotted 25 overs. Hasnain Raza (41 off 38 balls) also contributed a fine 41 off 38 balls.

It was the fluent innings by Atiqur Rehman (41 not out off 17 with five fours and two sixes) and Safaqat Ali (22 off 16 with four fours) that swung the momentum in favour of Seven Seas Strikers.

Rohan Mustafa and Imran Khan took two wickets each, but they failed to threaten their opponents.

Rufi Real Estate, in reply, did play with determination, but their efforts, in the end, were not enough to keep pace with the ever-increasing asking rate.

Sharjeel Khan led a good fight-back with a fine knock of 58 off 37 balls which included five fours and three sixes. Imran Khan remained not on 23 off 17 balls with four fours.

Strikers’s attack was effectively led by Rana Kashif, who claimed four for 14.

Mohsin and Farhan Ahmed also made their presence felt, taking two wickets each as Rufi Real Estate were restricted to 156 for nine.

Seven Seas Strikers beat Rufi Real Estate by 42 runs: Seven Seas Strikers 198 for 5 in 25 overs (Mohammed Asif 64, Hasnain Raza 41, Atiqur Rehman 41 not out, Shafaqat Ali 22; Rohan Mustafa 2-50, Shakeel Raja 2-44) Rufi Real Estate 156 for 9 in 25 overs (Sharjeel Khan 58, Imran Khan 23 not out, Rana Kashif 4-14, Mohsin Irshad 2-28, Farhan Ahmed 2-18). Man of the match: Rana Kashif of Seven Seas Strikers. Umpires: Iftikhar Ali and Hamid Mukhtar