Amanat powers Waynad Highlanders over Trivandrum Royals

Trotters Independent Traders - Waynad Highlanders hit back strongly after losing their first game by thrashing DCB Kings XI Trivandrum Royals by a huge margin of 135 runs in the KPL Dubai 2012 tournament.

A hurricane innings by Rizwan Amanat who smashed 103 in 59 balls was the architect of their victory.

In the second game CSS Alleppey Ripples opened their account in the points table beating Calicut Zamorins supported by du by 6 wickets riding on a solid batting performance by Abdul Shakoor in the two matches played on Saturday.

Organised by KPL Organising Committee and conducted under the auspices of the Dubai Cricket Council, it is being supported by Danube Buildmart, Debonairs Pizza and Roti Mum with the best performers get cash awards.

Left hand opening batsman Amanat who hails from Lahore and has played for Punjab University, plundered the Royals attack smashing four sixes and eleven fours during his matchwinning knock.

Along with Afghanistan's Mohammad Shahzad, they were off to a blazing start posting 56 runs in the first five overs.

Shahzad slammed three sixes and two fours in his nine-ball 27.

Amanat partnered by Rifatullah Mohammad then put on 135 runs for the second wicket at more than ten runs an over.

Cameos by Mohammad Nabi (30) and Gulbodin Naib (23) saw Waynad finishing with an imposing total of 254 runs in 20 overs.

In reply Trivandrum Royals kept losing wickets at regular intervals as Dawlat Zadran and Gulbodin Naib picked up two wickets each.

Abdul Rehman Qadir was one of the batsman to stand up to the attack scoring a defiant 42 in 37 balls with six fours.

Nelson Pinto was another who showed fighting spirit hitting two sixes and fours in a quickfire 26.

Samiullah Shinwari picked up two wickets to restrict Royals to 119.

Waynad skipper Neeraj Ramamoorthy said: "After the shock defeat in the last game we were determined to come back strongly and I am happy that we have been to able to play to our true strength in the second game. We hope to continue in the same vein and do well in this year’s edition too."

In the other match, Calicut Zamorins did well to make 144 runs as Ahmed Shaukat and Qais Farooq 22, gave them a good start putting on 35 runs.

Rashid Khan then joined Ahmed and the pair played with a lot of responsibility putting on 71 runs for the second wicket.

Khan departed after making 35 runs with a six and four boundaries.

Ahmed top scored with 48 in 57 balls in which he hit a six and two fours.

Fayyaz Ahmed claimed two for 35.

Alleppey Ripples started off well with openers Abdul Shakoor and skipper Mohammad Rowmahs (29) putting on 77 runs at a quick trot.

Zamorins skipper Salman Farooq then dealt a double blow, first picking up Shakoor (48) and then Rowmahs to give them a glimmer of hope.

Qasim Zubair then picked up by former Sri Lankan international Dilhara Lokuhettige while Qais Farooq dismissed big hitter Pervez Nazir.

An unbeaten knock of 37 by Baber Malik settled the issue with nine balls to spare to as Calicut Zamorins to end the tournament without a win.

Brief scores:

Trotters Independent Traders Waynad Highlanders beat DCB Kings XI Trivandrum Royals by 135 runs: Waynad Highlanders 254 for 4 in 20 overs (Rizwan Amanat 103, Mohammad Shahzad 27, Rifatullah Mohammad 53, Mohammed Nabi 30, Gulbodin Naib 23, Santhosh Kotian  2-25) Trivandrum Royals 119 all out in 20 overs (Abdul Rehman Qadir 42, Nelson Pinto 26, Dawlat Zadran 2-22, Gulbodin Naib 2-15, Samiullah Shinwari 2-19)

Danube Buildmart Man of the match: Rizwan Amanat of Trotters Independent Traders Waynad Highlanders

CSS Alleppey Ripples beat Calicut Zamorins supported by du by 6 wickets: Calicut Zamorins 144 for 5 in 20 overs (Ahmed Shaukat 48, Qais Farooq 22, Rashid Khan 35, Fayyaz Ahmed  2-35) CSS Alleppey Ripples 145 for 4 in 18.3 overs (Abdul Shakoor 48, Mohammad Rowmahs 29, Baber Malik 37, Salman Farooq 2-17)

Danube Buildmart Man of the match: Abdul Shakoor of CSS Alleppey Ripples.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.