Sharjah Cricket Academy’s under-14 team rode on a brilliant half-century from Dhruva Praveen to beat Spencer Club by one run in a friendly match which had all the ingredients of a thriller.
The SCA team, currently on a tour of England, did well to post a healthy 157 for eight despite repeated rain interruptions which had reduced the match to 24-overs-a-side from the original 30 overs.
Dhruva led the charge with a scintillating knock of 51 which included eight fours and one six.
Akshay Pancholi (17 not out) and Divyendu Shekhar (11) further consolidated the innings in the face of some disciplined bowling by the home team.
S. Lone was the most successful Spencer bowler, claiming three for 22 while Brown picked up two wickets.
The Spencer team, in reply, had their chances to wrap up the match, but SCA bowlers maintained their cool to clinch the issue in a tense finish.
Reyaz had kept the hopes alive for the home team with an authoritative innings of 70, studded with 12 fours and one six, but his departure brought the SCA team back into the game.
Though Grant struck a fine 21 with three fours, the SCA bowlers, led by Aagam and Akbar who both picked up two wickets, stuck to their task effectively and sealed a dramatic win that speaks volumes of the SCA team’s ability to handle pressure
Brief scores:
SCA Under-14 team beat Spencer Club by 1 run: SCA U-14 157 for 8 in 24 overs (Dhruva Praveen 51, Akshay Pancholi 17 not out, Divyendu Shekhar 11; S. Lone 3-22, M. Brown 2-19) Spencer U-14 156 for 9 in 24 overs (M. Reyaz 70, C. Grant 21; Aagam 2-17, Akbar 2-8).
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