The Taiwan Cricket Sixes organized by the Chinese Cricket Development Association concluded in Chiayi City yesterday afternoon with the Taiwan Stars winning the final against host team the Daredevils.
Mahroof Hussain carried his bat for 31 to put the backbone into the Daredevil’s total of 83, while captain Duane Christie made 22. Tanveer Shoaib’s over went for 13, but he picked up three wickets which were, more importantly, dot balls.
The chase started well until Hussain once again entered the fray conceding just nine off his over. Fatigue took its toll on the rest of the bowlers after three earlier matches in the morning, and too many wides helped the Stars batsmen to reach their target off the final ball.
In the semi-finals Formosa racked up 85-2 against the Stars with Charles Engelbrecht retiring on 30. Tathagat Bhowmick put Formosa on track to defend the total with a four-run over that included the wicket of Tanveer Shoaib. However, Imran Syed hammered 4, 4, 6, 2 and 4 from the last over to put his team through.
Hussain’s heroic bowling (3-7) in the other semi-final was overshadowed by controversy as a rarely employed law was invoked which added five runs to Pakistan Cricket Club Taipei’s (PCCT) target. With the heart of the PCCT batting torn out, the Daredevil bowlers managed to contain their previously unbeaten opponents.
Earlier the Daredevils qualified for the semis by beating the Scunners and the Wildfire Geckos. The Scunners ended the weekend winless after also going down to the Geckos.
Also yesterday, Chang Jung Christian University (CJCU) took on the Darling Daredevils in the first-ever women’s cricket match in Taiwan. In 12 overs the Darlings scored 71-1 with Mary Mullan Christie top-scoring with 14. Hsu Yu-hsuan was CJCU’s wicket-taker, finishing with figures of 1-11. Hanlie Fourie took one wicket and captain Mullan Christie a catch in defending the total, but strong leg-side shots from Ma Yi-ru saw her finish on 29 not out as her team won easily.
The Darlings turned that result on its head chasing 61 in a six-a-side match. Their opening batters, Aniena Joubert and Shani Engelbrecht shared an unbeaten partnership to win.
Mullan Christie bubbled with enthusiasm after the games.
“We invite the CJCU girls back next month for more games and any other girls’ teams that want to join in,” she said.
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