Media Release

Doha, Oct 7: Gulf Lights defeated Milaha by five wickets in the inaugural match of the 3rd Gulf Lights Cricket Tournament 2019, at the Losail Cricket Complex.

A R Sanaullah inaugurated the tournament in the presence of Qatar's veteran cricket officials, other players and match officials.

After winning the toss, Milaha team captain, Iqbal elected to bat. In the hot and humid weather, Milaha started cautiously but lost wickets regularly due to excellent bowling by the Gulf Lights. The Gulf Lights bowlers never allowed the Milaha batsmen to score freely. Milaha were bowled out for 80 runs in 19.1 overs. Vaibhav of Milaha was the only batsman to score double figures and was in the game till he scored 29 runs which included three boundaries.

For Gulf Lights, Imran took three wickets giving away only seven runs in the allotted three overs, Shafi took two wickets while Saad, Osama and Jawad took one wicket each and Shabbir took one wicket on his first ball of the innings.

In response, Gulf Lights breezed past the target in 11.1 overs with a loss of seven wickets. Melwin from Gulf Lights scored with 28 runs ( three sixes and a four) of which 21 runs came in a single over bowled by Haneef. Omer and Asif contributed 11 runs each.

Milaha, Faheem and Vaibhav took two wickets, while Iqbal and Shadab took one wicket each. Melwin of Gulf Lights was declared the Man of the Match.

In another match played on the day, AlFardan defeated Ceylon Warriors by four wickets.

Ceylon Warriors scored 121 runs with the loss of seven wickets. Top scorer Chandana got 24 runs including two sixes. Pragash contributed 16 runs while Rizan scored 11 runs.

AlFardan bowler Gazali was outstanding claiming 5 wickets giving away only 9 runs, and Nehal took two wickets. AlFardan easily scored 122 runs in 10.2 overs with the loss of only seven wickets. Shahbaz was superlative scoring 30 runs off 12 balls with four sixes and a boundary. Nehal scored 23 runs with three sixes and a boundary while Yasir was not out till 22 runs, with 2 sixes and a boundary.

For Ceylon Warriors Pragash, Saman and Kokila took 2 wickets each.

Gazali of AlFardan was declared the Man of the Match.