A superb team effort from Ibsons Sialkot Sharks enabled them to beat Danube Mumbai Warriors by seven wickets in Group C of the Superstars T20 cricket tournament at the Fairground Oval of the Dubai Men’s College.

The tournament is conducted by the Dubai Cricket Council (DCC) and supported by Web Channel with Yas Sports and Saaiba Restaurant as support sponsors.

Danube, fresh from their 36-run win over Nucaf Tellicherry, got off to a flying start on winning the toss.

Openers Asif Iqbal and Andri Berenger stitched together a decent partnership to lay a good foundation for the other batsmen.

Asif struck a run-a-ball 17, while Andri made 14.

But just when it looked like Danube had a grip of the match, they lost four quick wickets and very soon were looking down the barrel.

The dismissal of Asif and Andri brought Yasir Shah and captain Rohan Mustafa to the crease.

However, Yasir lasted just two balls and Rohan one, to leave the team in disarray.

However Vikranth Shetty and Adnan Mufti took the onus upon themselves and went about gathering runs without further cause for alarm.

Vikranth stroked an unbeaten 35 from 36 balls with three fours, while the aggressive Adnan bludgeoned 48 from 33 balls which consisted two towering sixes and two fours.

Their efforts later proved futile as opener Shehzad Malik played a match-winning knock for Ibsons.

His 57 from 35 balls ended whatever little hope Danube had of aspiring for a win.

Although two wickets fell in quick succession Shehzad had good company in Babar Malik and Fayaz Ahmed.

Shehzad lofted five sixes and four fours, while Babar slammed five boundaries in his knock of 29.

Fayaz didn’t want to miss out on the action and during his brief stay at the wicket hit the Danube bowlers for a six and three fours in his 19-ball 26 to make it a winning start for Ibsons in the tournament.

Brief scores:

Ibsons Sialkot Sharks beat Danube Mumbai Warriors by 7 wickets

Danube 127 for 5 in 20 overs (Adnan Mufti 48, Vikranth Shetty 35 no, Asif Iqbal 17; Zohaib Akhter 2-23, Umaid Asif 1-18, Fayaz Ahmed 1-16, Shahbaz Ahmed 1-18) Ibsons 129 for 3 in 17.1 overs (Shehzad Malik 57 no, Babar Malik 29, Fayaz Ahmed 26 no; Yasir Shah 1-19, Rohan Mustafa 1-16). Man of the match: Shehzad Malik of Ibsons Sialkot Sharks